Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma Says Parties Lost Votes Over Illegal Immigration, Warns of 2029 Elections

March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma has reignited the immigration debate following South Africa’s 2026 Local Government Elections, arguing that political parties paid a price for ignoring voters’ concerns about illegal immigration.

Ngobese-Zuma believes immigration played an important role in how South Africans voted on 4 November 2026. She has warned political parties that they could face an even bigger political setback in the 2029 general elections if they continue brushing aside the issue.

Her remarks come at a time when immigration remains a sensitive subject in communities across the country, with South Africans expressing different views about border control, undocumented foreign nationals and the government’s response.

Taking aim at political parties after the elections, Ngobese-Zuma argued that many politicians had failed to understand what ordinary voters wanted.

She claimed that instead of taking immigration concerns seriously, some parties had chosen to dismiss the debate and focus their criticism on her and the March and March movement.

According to Ngobese-Zuma, voters had used the ballot box to express their frustration.

She warned that parties should not expect public support in 2029 if they continued treating immigration as an issue that could be ignored.

Her comments have once again highlighted the growing political significance of immigration, although the election results do not independently establish how many people voted based on this particular issue.

Ngobese-Zuma’s comments also come as the March and March movement continues to face legal restrictions on its demonstrations.

On 30 October 2026, the Durban High Court issued an order suspending the movement’s planned demonstrations following an urgent application by Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

The legal action raised concerns about public safety, alleged intimidation and the potential for violence surrounding the protests.

The restrictions have put the movement’s demonstrations on hold while the legal process continues. The matter is expected to return to court on 18 January 2027.

Immigration remains one of the issues dividing public opinion in South Africa. While some citizens have called for stronger border management and action against undocumented immigration, others have warned against xenophobia and the targeting of foreign nationals.

Ngobese-Zuma’s latest remarks have added another dimension to the conversation, particularly following an election in which political parties are assessing their performance and looking ahead to future contests.

Her warning raises an important question about whether political leaders are listening to the concerns voters want addressed.

https://briefly.co.za/politics/258502-jacinta-ngobese-zuma-parties-lost-votes-illegal-immigration/

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