Interpol catch nine Zimbabweans for South Africa airport ova allegations to travel to fight in Russia-Ukraine war

South African police don arrest nine foreign nationals wey dem suspect say dem dey attempt to travel from di kontri to take part for di war between Russia and Ukraine.

Di suspects, wey dia na between 20 and 26, chop arrest on Sunday night for OR Tambo International Airport for Johannesburg and for one hotel for Bruma, east of di city.

Di arrests follow joint investigation wey involve South Africa elite crime-fighting unit, di Hawks, INTERPOL, international law enforcement agencies and local police intelligence units.

According to di Hawks, di suspects dey allegedly prepare to board international flights wen authorities intervene and catch dem.

Police neva really disclose dia nationalities but confam say none of di suspects dey reside for South Africa.

Zimbabweans arrested in South Africa, OR Tambo airport

Na nine Zimbabweans dem arrest for South Africa afta dem catch dem for trying to leave di country to fight for di war between Russia and di Ukraine, police say.

Dem catch dem as dem dey "prepare to board flights out of di kontri", authorities add, but dia final destination dey unclear.

Dem don charge dem for going against South Africa Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act, wey outlaws mercenary activity witout govment permission.

Police say five pipo chop arrest for South Africa biggest airport, OR Tambo, and anoda four for hotel in Bruma, east of Johannesburg by multidisciplinary team wey involve Interpol.

"Nine foreign nationals dey expected to appear bifor di Kempton Park Magistrates Court afta dia arrest for di airport and hotel for Bruma in connection wit alleged attempt to travel from South Africa to participate in di Russia-Ukraine war," South Africa police say.

"Di arrest na based on intelligence wey dem gada during di investigation.

"Di multidisciplinary team operationalised intervention wey result for di arrest of di nine suspects, aged between 20 and 26, last night.

"Di suspects dey allegedly prepare to board flights out of di kontri wen dem chop arrest."

Di suspects dey expected to face charges wey relate to South Africa Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act, wey dey govern involvement for foreign military activities.

Police say di involvement of INTERPOL and oda international law enforcement agencies indicate say di suspects don also allegedly violate laws for dia respective home kontris.

Dem say e mean say di agencies dey cooperate wit South African authorities.

Authorities neva disclose weda di suspects intend to fight for Russia or Ukraine.

Dem also say di suspects neva provide details of di organisations wey allegedly dey involved for facilitating dia travel.

"Di suspects dey expected to face charges relating to di contravention of di Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act 15 of 1998."

Meanwhile, one major operation wey law enforcement agency from 21 countries carry out to tackle cybercrime, ransomware, business email compromise and yahoo-yahoo across Africa don lead to di arrest of 1,462 suspects.

Di International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) wey lead di Operation wey dem name Serengeti III, tok say citizens from Nigeria, Uganda, Angola, Tanzania, dey among di suspects dem arrest for cyber fraud.

For statement on Thursday, 22 October, di security agency say dem dismantle 10,909 harmful networks and recover more dan 105 million US dollars wey cybercriminals bin obtain illegally for di operation wey dem carry out between June to August 2026.

Meanwhile, dis new arrest by di Interpol and South African police no dey connected to cybercrime, but na part of Interpol operations for Africa.