South African police announced Thursday the arrest of three people, including Beninese activist Kemi Seba, suspected of organising illegal crossings of the Limpopo River into Zimbabwe.
Kemi Seba, whose real name is Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi, is a French-born Beninese politician, pan-Africanist activist, writer and journalist.
Seba is known for his opposition to Françafrique and imperialism in the 21st century.
He has been a prominent figure in the opposition to the economic influence of France in African countries, seen as a neocolonial phenomenon.
South African police indicated Thursday that three suspects, including Seba, were arrested in an operation targeting an alleged network facilitating clandestine crossings into Zimbabwe via the Limpopo River.
The activist, his son Khonsou Seba Capo Chichi and François van der Merwe made a brief appearance before the Brooklyn Magistrates’ Court in Pretoria, following their arrest on 13 April during an intelligence operation at a shopping mall.
According to police, the father-son duo acted with the help of an accomplice who received approximately 250,000 rand (about $15,150) to organise their clandestine crossing into Zimbabwe, with the intention of continuing on to Europe.
During the operation, law enforcement seized several mobile phones and approximately 318,000 rand in cash.
The Hawks, with the support of Interpol, confirmed that Stellio Gilles Robert Capo
Chichi is wanted in Benin for offences related to crimes against the state.
Beninese authorities suspect him of having links to the coup plotters involved in the events of last December.
The three suspects have been remanded in custody.
The case has been adjourned until 20 April while extradition proceedings to Benin are underway, South African police stated.
AC/fss/jn/APA