March and March claims leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma faces arrest by Friday

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Opens in new windowOpens in new windowEnter fullscreen mode displaying this image.ExpandApril 29, 2026.Advocacy group leaders led by Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma address the protesters during march to the Gauteng Legislature calling for action against illegal immigration in Johannesburg CBD. Picture: Freddy Mavunda © Business Day Story audio is generated using AI

The March and March Movement claims its leader, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma and SA First Forum acting CEO Xolani Zuma face imminent arrest, alleging the move is politically motivated ahead of next month’s local government elections.

The movement’s national spokesperson, Sandile Dube, said in a statement on Wednesday that a warrant of arrest had been issued for the pair and that they could be arrested by Friday.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) referred queries to the police, while the police referred the questions back to the NPA. Neither institution provided a response to the queries at the time of publication.

The movement alleged that the planned arrests were linked to its nationwide protests and accused the Presidency of attempting to intimidate civil society ahead of the November 4 elections.

It claimed that an executive committee meeting of a “failing political movement” had discussed three months ago whether its leaders should be arrested before or after the elections.

The movement called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to distance himself from what it described as political interference.

It also criticised KwaZulu-Natal IFP premier Thami Ntuli and ANC leadership over the alleged deployment of forces against peaceful protesters and the arrests of activists, including students.

Dube said the movement would proceed with its planned peaceful marches on Thursday to pressure the government to prioritise South African citizens, strengthen border security and address corruption.

Its demands include the deportation of undocumented foreign nationals, changes to legislation governing the Border Management Authority and declaring illegal immigration a national disaster.

The movement also called for the South African National Defence Force to be deployed to areas affected by illegal mining across Gauteng, North West, Mpumalanga, the Free State, Limpopo and the Northern Cape.

It further wants municipalities to introduce bylaws reserving township and informal trading for South African small businesses.

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