SADC Summit: Three Foreign Nationals Arrested for Allegedly Trying to Gain Unauthorised Entry
- NATJOINTS confirmed that arrests were made at the 46th Ordinary Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit
- Foreign nationals were arrested at the event in Durban for allegedly trying to use accreditation that didn't belong to them
- South Africans weighed in on the arrests, sharing varied reactions to the attempts made by the foreign nationals to gain access to the venue
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Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
KWAZULU-NATAL - Three individuals have been arrested for attempting to bypass security and gain unauthorised entry to the 46th Ordinary Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit.
The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) confirmed the arrests and issued a firm warning to anyone considering testing the summit's security arrangements at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC).
Congolese nationals caught with stolen accreditation
On Saturday, 15 August 2026, two Congolese nationals were detained after presenting accreditation at an access-control point that had not been issued to them.
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Security personnel identified a discrepancy between the individuals' identities and the credentials they carried.
Both suspects were arrested on the spot and now face charges of fraud, impersonation, and contravention of the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act 2 of 2010, which relates to entering a designated area without proper authorisation. The circumstances surrounding how they obtained the accreditation remain under investigation.
Zimbabwean national arrested earlier in the week
Before that incident, a Zimbabwean national was arrested after allegedly attempting to obtain accreditation by posing as a performing artist to gain access to the summit venue. That individual faces a charge related to being illegally present in South Africa.
NATJOINTS emphasised that only persons holding valid, properly issued and authorised accreditation will be permitted access to the ICC. The structure issued a clear warning against the sharing, lending, exchanging, falsifying or misusing of accreditation in any form.
How did South Africans react?
South Africans took to social media to share varied reactions to the news.
@Sir_Tefo wrote:
"These so-called African leaders are such a bunch of hypocrites. They moan about unauthorised access to their meeting, yet they expect South Africans to allow undocumented foreigners to get into the country."
@skelly_za said:
"It’s all such a waste of money and time. What will be achieved from this circus of clowns?"
@huttonfreeman questioned the arrests, writing:
"How can they arrest investors? Smart educated Congolese. You can't arrest Africans in Africa - that's 'Afrophobic'."
@Sthembi19281518 simply commented:
"Banana republic."
@OriginalKhoiSan stated:
“SA has been a playground for way too long. A lack of self-respect brought us here.”
Cyril Ramaphosa condemns treatment of foreign nationals
Briefly News highlighted facts about President Cyril Ramaphosa's address at the 46th Ordinary Summit of the SADC.
The President condemned the recent xenophobic treatment of foreign nationals in South Africa during his address.
The President's statements come in the wake of demonstrations that have drawn international attention.
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Source: Briefly News
