10th foreign national arrested for attempt to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war

A 10th foreign national suspect, believed to be en route to allegedly fight in the Russia-Ukraine war, has been arrested on Wednesday night.

According to the Hawks, the suspect was arrested by an integrated multidisciplinary investigation team involving INTERPOL Pretoria NCB, the Hawks’ Crimes Against the State and Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit based in Germiston, International Law Enforcement agencies, SAPS Crime Intelligence, the Modus Operandi Centre, the Gauteng Provincial Tracking Team and the various security companies.

The 38-year-old foreign national is expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrates Court on Thursday, and will be facing charges under the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act 15 of 1998.

This follows the arrests of nine Zimbabwean nationals at the OR Tambo International Airport and a hotel in Bruma on Sunday night, also in an alleged attempt to travel from South Africa to participate in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Five of the accused appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, facing charges of contravening the Foreign Military Assistance Act. They return to court next Tuesday.

The remaining four accused, facing the same charges, are expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

9 November 2026: The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks, has arrested nine foreign nationals at the OR Tambo International Airport and a hotel in Bruma on Sunday night. Their arrests are in connection with an alleged attempt to travel from South Africa to participate in the Russia-Ukraine war.

According to the Hawks, the arrests follow an integrated multidisciplinary investigation involving INTERPOL; the Hawks’ Crimes Against the State and Serious Organised Crime Investigation based in Germiston; International Law Enforcement agencies; SAPS Crime Intelligence; the Modus Operandi Centre; the Gauteng Provincial Tracking Team and various security companies.

The suspects, aged between 20 and 26, were allegedly preparing to board flights out of the country when they were apprehended.

“Acting on intelligence gathered during the investigation, the multidisciplinary team operationalised an intervention that resulted in the arrest of the nine suspects last night.”

The suspects are expected to face charges relating to the contravention of the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act 15 of 1998. According to the Hawks, they are expected to appear before the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court.

The Acting Provincial Head of the Gauteng Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Brigadier Paulina Sekgobela, commended the multidisciplinary team for its coordinated efforts and successful operation.

“The Hawks reiterate their commitment to working with local and international law enforcement agencies to combat crime and ensure compliance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa.”