Durban – Three people have been arrested for allegedly attempting to gain unauthorised access to the venue of the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit in Durban, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) has confirmed.
The arrests come as heightened security measures remain in place around the summit at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC), where regional leaders and government officials are gathering.
According to NATJOINTS, two Congolese nationals were arrested on Saturday, 15 August 2026, after allegedly attempting to enter the summit venue using accreditation that had been issued to someone else.
“The suspects were detected at an access-control point when their identities did not correspond with the accreditation presented and were immediately arrested,” NATJOINTS said.
The two suspects face charges of fraud, impersonation and contravening the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act 2 of 2010, relating to entering a designated area without authorisation.
Their identities and the circumstances surrounding the alleged attempt remain under investigation.
Earlier in the week, a Zimbabwean national was also arrested after allegedly attempting to obtain accreditation by claiming to be a performing artist in order to gain access to the summit venue.
The Zimbabwean national faces a charge relating to being illegally in South Africa.
NATJOINTS said the three arrests were linked to attempts to circumvent the summit’s accreditation and access-control procedures.
The structure issued a stern warning to anyone considering attempting to breach the security arrangements.
“NATJOINTS issues a stern and unequivocal warning that the exchanging, lending, sharing, falsification or misuse of accreditation, as well as any attempt to gain access to the summit venue without proper authorisation, will not be tolerated,” it said.
It also warned that security measures around the summit were designed to detect and prevent attempts to compromise the safety of delegates, heads of state, government officials, accredited participants and members of the public.
“No person should attempt to test the security arrangements around the summit,” NATJOINTS said.
Protest plans
NATJOINTS also said it was aware of plans for marches and other public gatherings in and around Durban during the summit.
“Security and law-enforcement plans are in place to manage these activities,” it said.
While acknowledging the constitutional right to peaceful protest, the security structure warned that criminality, violence, intimidation, threats, destruction of property and attempts to breach restricted areas would not be tolerated.
“NATJOINTS respects the constitutional right to protest peacefully and lawfully. However, there will be no tolerance for criminality, violence, intimidation, threats, destruction of property, attempts to breach restricted areas or any deliberate effort to disrupt the proceedings of the summit,” it said.
Those taking part in marches and gatherings have been urged to comply with the law and instructions from law-enforcement officers.
NATJOINTS said it would not allow legitimate gatherings to be used to undermine the security and integrity of the summit.
“The message from NATJOINTS is clear: the 46th SADC Summit will proceed as planned,” it said.
“Security measures remain firmly in place, and anyone attempting to compromise the summit will face the full might of the law.”
NATJOINTS also reminded accredited participants to protect their accreditation and not share, exchange, lend or transfer it to another person.
“The security of the summit, its delegates, and all participants remains the priority of NATJOINTS,” it said.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: ChatGPT
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
