Two Congolese nationals in court over SADC unauthorised access

The two Congolese nationals arrested for allegedly trying to gain unauthorised access to the 46th SADC Summit in Durban are expected to appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning.

They face fraud and impersonation charges.

NATJOINTS says the two were arrested on Saturday.

Tight security around the Durban ICC ahead of the SADC heads of state and government summit. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/ed2ZzBmRnr — Ditaba Tsotetsi (@tsotetsiditaba) August 17, 2026 Police allege they tried to enter the Durban ICC using accreditation belonging to someone else.

Meanwhile, a third person arrested earlier is a Zimbabwean national.

He allegedly tried to obtain summit accreditation by posing as a performing artist.

National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says the man also faces a charge of being illegally in South Africa.

“The Zimbabwean national faces a charge related to being illegally in the Republic of South Africa.

The two Congo nationals face charges of fraud, impersonation and contravention of the SAPS Act relating to entering a designated area without authorisation.

NATJOINTS is also fully aware of plans for matches and other public gatherings in and around Durban during the summit period.

Security and law-enforcement plans are in place to manage these activities.

NATJOINTS respects the constitutional rights to participate peacefully and lawfully; however, there will be no tolerance for criminal violence, intimidation, threats, restriction of property, attempts to breach restricted areas or any deliberate effort to disrupt the proceedings of the summit.” VIDEO | SADC Summit | NATJOINTS confirms arrests over access violations at SADC: