Beninese activist Kemi Seba arrested in South Africa for alleged illegal border crossing attempt

French-born Beninese activist Kemi Seba, his 18-year-old son Khonsou Seba Capo Chichi, and South African national François van der Merwe were arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Hawks in South Africa. They face charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and contravention of the Immigration Act after allegedly paying R250,000 to illegally cross into Zimbabwe with the intention of proceeding to Europe. The arrests followed an intelligence-driven operation in Pretoria. Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale stated that law enforcement received information about the facilitation of illegal movement into Zimbabwe through the Limpopo River. During the arrest, cellphones and approximately R318,000 were confiscated. Interpol confirmed that Seba, whose real name is Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi, is a wanted fugitive in Benin for crimes against the state, specifically for allegedly supporting a coup attempt in December 2025 led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri. Seba, a politician, pan-Africanist leader, and activist known for his anti-Western and anti-imperialist views, was a candidate in the 2026 Beninese presidential election and expressed support for the coup. France revoked Seba's French nationality in 2024, citing his alleged spread of anti-French sentiment, incitement to rebellion, and "manifest disloyalty" through criticism of France's presence in Africa. The Brooklyn Magistrate’s Court postponed the case to April 20, and the suspects remain in cus