The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) confirmed the arrests. Security officials stopped the pair at an access-control point when their identities did not match the credentials they presented. The accreditation had been issued to another person. Their identities and the full circumstances remain under further investigation.
Charges and court proceedings
They face:
- Fraud
- Impersonation
- Contravention of the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act 2 of 2010 (unauthorised entry into a designated area)
- In some reports, related provisions under the SAPS Act for entering a restricted area without authorisation
They first appeared in the Durban Magistrates’ Court around 17–18 August 2026. The matter was postponed (initially to allow them to appoint legal representatives, then further to 24 August 2026) so the state could verify their identities, accommodation in South Africa, and immigration status. Reports indicate they told the court (via a legal-aid representative) that they had come to South Africa as part of a delegation linked to a Congolese minister for the summit. A group connected to the summit was noted in the public gallery during one appearance.
Related arrest
A third person—a Zimbabwean national—was arrested earlier in the week after allegedly trying to obtain accreditation by posing as a performing artist. He faces a charge related to being illegally in South Africa. These three arrests were the only ones publicly linked at the time to attempts to circumvent the summit’s accreditation and access-control processes.
Security context
The 46th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government was held in Durban (eThekwini) in mid-August 2026, with heightened security around the ICC. NATJOINTS issued firm warnings against exchanging, lending, sharing, falsifying, or misusing accreditation, stressing that only properly accredited individuals would be allowed into the venue. Authorities also noted preparedness for planned public gatherings and marches while affirming respect for peaceful, lawful protest and zero tolerance for attempts to breach restricted areas or disrupt proceedings.
The case remains at an early stage, with investigations ongoing into the precise circumstances, how the accreditation was obtained or transferred, and the suspects’ status. No further public details on outcomes after the 24 August postponement were widely reported in the immediate coverage.
