2 Congolese Nationals to Appear in Durban Court for Trying to Gatecrash SADC Summit

• Two Congolese nationals were arrested for attempting to enter the SADC Summit using accreditation that did not belong to them
• A Zimbabwean national was separately arrested earlier in the week for trying to gain entry to the Durban ICC under a false identity
• Police confirmed that a total of three individuals have been arrested for attempting to bypass the summit's access control processes

DURBAN — Two Congolese nationals are expected to make their first court appearance at the Durban Magistrates Court after being arrested for allegedly attempting to enter the SADC Summit using fraudulent accreditation.

According to Newzroom Afrika, the two individuals were found in possession of accreditation credentials that had not been issued to them and belonged to other persons. They face charges of fraud as well as a contravention of the Safety at Sport and Recreational Events Act of 2010, which governs unauthorised entry into secured event spaces.

Read also

SADC Summit: Three foreign nationals arrested for allegedly trying to gain unauthorised entry

3 Arrested Around the SADC Summit

The two Congolese nationals form part of a broader security operation. Police confirmed that three individuals in total have been arrested for attempting to circumvent the summit's accreditation and access control systems.

Earlier in the week, a Zimbabwean was also arrested after trying to gain entry to the Durban International Convention Centre under the pretence of being an artist booked to perform. That individual faces charges of illegal entry into South Africa, in addition to the circumstances surrounding the attempted entry.

NatJoints warns against planned protests

Alongside the arrests, police bodies NATJOINTS confirmed awareness of protests being planned around the summit this week. While the organisation said it respects the constitutional right to protest, it stated it would not tolerate any acts of criminality, intimidation, or violence.

A tight security perimeter remains in place around the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban, where multiple heads of state are gathered for the regional summit.

Read also

President Cyril Ramaphosa condemns treatment of foreign nationals during address to SADC leaders

Watch the report from outside the Durban ICC here.

Ramaphosa weighs in on treatment of foreign nationals

In a related article, Briefly News reported on President Cyril Ramaphosa's address at the 46th Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), where he condemned the treatment of foreign nationals in South Africa. The president's comments come amid ongoing anti-immigration protests that have caused significant regional concern and strained relationships with neighboring countries.

Source: Briefly News