South African police made a 10th of this week’s mercenary arrests on Thursday, after four suspects were held at a Johannesburg hotel while preparing to fly to Russia to fight in Ukraine.
The new mercenary arrests widen a joint investigation by Interpol and the South African Police Service (SAPS) into recruitment drives for the war, the Associated Press reported. DNE Africa reported on Wednesday that nine Zimbabweans had appeared in court over the same plan.
What do the mercenary arrests involve?
Police spokesperson Katlego Mogale said the four suspects were arrested at a hotel in Johannesburg while preparing to board flights to Russia, according to AP. They were expected to appear in court on Thursday. A tenth person was also detained, AP said, though it did not give details on that suspect.
The first nine suspects were identified as Zimbabwean nationals. Five of them appeared before the Kempton Park Magistrates Court on Tuesday, where prosecutors said they would oppose bail, according to AP. Prosecutors said five of the nine had given Zimbabwean addresses when they were processed.
All nine face charges under the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act, which bars mercenary activity and regulates military assistance to parties in foreign conflicts, including recruitment and training. The National Prosecuting Authority handles prosecutions under the law. None of the suspects has been convicted.
Where are the mercenary arrests taking place?
The arrests have centred on Johannesburg and the area around OR Tambo International Airport in Gauteng province. TimesLIVE reported on Monday that the first nine were arrested after an alleged attempt to travel from South Africa to join the war, and appeared in two Gauteng courts.
The South African Police Service has not published a statement on the latest arrest in the material reviewed, and the nationalities and identities of the four new suspects were not given.
Why are Africans being recruited to fight for Russia?
Several groups of South Africans have been repatriated after saying they were duped into fighting on the front lines in Ukraine, AP reported. They said they were first promised security training in Russia. Reports from other African countries said many recruits were enticed with the promise of lucrative jobs and generous benefits through false advertising on social media.
Zimbabwe said in March that 15 of its citizens had been killed in the war and that it was seeking the return of 66 others, AP said. Kenya’s government said in February that more than 1,000 of its citizens had been recruited. Families protested in Nairobi in March, demanding the return of their relatives and the prosecution of those responsible.
The South African case is not the first. Radio presenter Nonkululeko Mantula was charged in late 2025 with recruiting four South African men to join Russia’s military, and the men also faced charges. Police also investigated allegations that Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, a daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, helped recruit 17 South African men with promises of security training. She denied wrongdoing and resigned from parliament in November 2025.
What happens next?
The four suspects arrested at the hotel are due to make their first court appearance, where bail will be the immediate question. Prosecutors have said they will oppose bail for the first group. Further mercenary arrests are possible as the Interpol and police inquiry into the recruitment drives continues.
FAQ
How many mercenary arrests have been made in South Africa this week?
Ten people have been arrested this week on suspicion of trying to travel from South Africa to Russia to fight in Ukraine, according to AP. The first nine are Zimbabwean nationals.
What law covers the mercenary arrests?
The suspects face charges under the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act, which prohibits mercenary activity and regulates recruitment and training for foreign conflicts.
Who is investigating the recruitment drives?
Interpol and the South African Police Service are running a joint investigation into the recruitment drives, AP reported.
Have the suspects been convicted?
No. They have been arrested and charged, and five of them have appeared in court. Prosecutors said they would oppose bail.
