Developing story: the five accused who were due back in the Kempton Park Magistrates Court on Tuesday had not had an outcome confirmed when this was written.
Nine Zimbabwean nationals accused of preparing to leave South Africa to take part in the Russia-Ukraine war remain in custody after their cases were postponed so they can arrange legal representation, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says.
They are presumed innocent unless and until a court finds otherwise.
The court appearances
The nine were arrested on Sunday, five at OR Tambo International Airport and four at a hotel in Bruma, Johannesburg, after what authorities described as an intelligence-driven investigation. They appeared on Monday in two separate courts: five in the Kempton Park Magistrates Court and four in the Johannesburg Magistrates Court.
Both groups were given postponements. The five return to Kempton Park on Tuesday 10 November, and the four return to Johannesburg on Thursday 12 November.
Gauteng NPA spokesperson Abraham Mohlatlole said: "Their cases were postponed to 10 and 12 November 2026 respectively for legal representation." He added: "All nine accused remain in custody."
The charges
All nine face charges under the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act of 1998. The NPA alleges they were preparing to leave the country to take part in the war. Police earlier said the suspects were aged between 20 and 26.
What we do not yet know
No bail decision has been reported. Authorities have not said which side the group allegedly intended to fight for, or which people or organisations allegedly recruited them. The accused have not been named in the material we have seen, and we are not naming them. This report will be updated after the next appearances.
