Nine Zimbabweans Arrested In South Africa Over Alleged Russia-Ukraine War Recruitment

Nine Zimbabwean nationals appeared in two separate Gauteng courts on Monday following their arrests over an alleged attempt to travel from South Africa to participate in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Five of the accused, identified as Weight Mudhanyane, 23, Javangwe Munyaradzi, 41, Wesley Sothole, 24, Abel Muchenje, 40, and Knowledge Ndunduma, 46, appeared before the Kempton Park Magistrate's Court.

They were arrested at OR Tambo International Airport.

The remaining four accused, Bobo Chinhondo, 43, Batsirai Sheren, 24, Liberty Shereni, 44, and Niobe Zhou, 37, appeared before the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court after being arrested at a hotel in Bruma.

Accused Face Foreign Military Assistance Charges

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole confirmed that all nine face charges of contravening the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act.

The arrests were carried out on Sunday following an intelligence-driven investigation.

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“Acting on information gathered during the investigation, a multidisciplinary team conducted an operation that resulted in the arrest of the accused. It is alleged that the accused intended to leave South Africa to participate in the Russia-Ukraine war.”

The case involving the five accused who appeared in Kempton Park was postponed until Tuesday to allow them to secure legal representation.

Meanwhile, proceedings involving the four accused at the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court were postponed until Thursday for the same reason.

All nine accused remain in custody.