Key Takeaways
- The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) explicitly denied that any arrest warrants have been issued against Jacinta MaNgobese Zuma (founder of the March and March Movement) and Xolani Zuma (acting CEO of the SA First Forum).
- The March and March Movement alleges that the purported warrants are politically motivated and tied to the upcoming 4 November 2026 local government elections, claiming they aim to intimidate civil society.
- KwaZulu‑Natal police echoed the NPA’s denial, stating there is no record of any case against the two leaders and urging the public to verify information through official channels.
- Movement spokesperson Sandile Dube affirmed that the group will proceed with its planned peaceful marches, accusing authorities of preparing prison beds to detain activists and calling for stronger border security, action against illegal mining, and deployment of the SANDF in affected areas.
- An editorial accompanying the report labels Jacinta Ngobese‑Zuma a threat to democracy and repeats the movement’s policy demands, including declaring illegal immigration a national disaster, strengthening the Border Management Authority, and reserving township and informal‑trading spaces for South African small businesses.
- The NPA reiterated that it makes independent prosecutorial decisions guided by the Constitution, legislation, and evidence, and urged organisations to avoid unfounded allegations that could undermine the criminal‑justice process.
Overview of the NPA’s denial and movement’s claim
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) issued a clear statement refuting rumors that arrest warrants had been prepared for Jacinta MaNgobese Zuma, founder of the March and March Movement, and Xolani Zuma, acting chief executive of the SA First Forum. The denial came after the movement announced, ahead of its scheduled Thursday marches, that it had received information suggesting warrants would be issued on or before Friday, 16 October. The NPA’s spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago, emphasized that no such warrants exist and that the authority does not take instructions from political parties, public‑office holders, or any external actors when exercising its prosecutorial functions.
NPA spokesperson’s statement on independence and evidence‑based decisions
Kganyago elaborated that the NPA’s prosecutorial decisions are made independently and impartially, strictly guided by the Constitution, relevant legislation, and the evidence available in each case. He stressed that the authority’s mandate is to discharge its duties without fear, favour, or prejudice, and that any suggestion of political interference is unfounded. By highlighting the NPA’s commitment to neutrality, the spokesperson aimed to reassure the public that the institution operates within the rule of law, irrespective of external pressure or speculation.
KwaZulu‑Natal police echo the denial and urge verification
Colonel Robert Netshiunda, spokesperson for the KwaZulu‑Natal police, also dismissed the rumors, stating that police records show no case registered against Ngobese‑Zuma or Zuma. He urged activists and members of the public to contact the police directly if they suspect a warrant exists, rather than relying on unverified claims that could cause panic or incite violence. Netshiunda’s remarks reinforced the NPA’s position and highlighted a coordinated effort by law‑enforcement agencies to counter misinformation surrounding the alleged arrests.
Movement’s allegations of political motivation and election linkage
The March and March Movement contended that the rumored arrest warrants are not random but are politically motivated, directly linked to the 4 November 2026 local government elections. According to the movement, the alleged action seeks to intimidate civil society organisations and disrupt their activities ahead of the polls. The claim suggests that the NPA is under undue political pressure to act against its leaders, framing the potential arrests as a deliberate attempt to suppress dissent and influence the electoral outcome.
Spokesperson Sandile Dube on planned marches and alleged pre‑planned detentions
Sandile Dube, spokesperson for the March and March Movement, affirmed that the group would continue with its scheduled peaceful demonstrations despite the rumors. Dube asserted that, three months prior, an executive committee meeting of a “failing political movement” had discussed whether to arrest the leaders before or after the elections, indicating that the arrests were pre‑planned. He warned that maximum prison beds have allegedly been prepared to detain citizen activists, a move he said is intended to provoke civil unrest and undermine the upcoming local government elections. Dube called for the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to areas affected by illegal mining and urged stronger action against undocumented immigration as part of the movement’s broader security agenda.
Additional demands: border security, immigration, and economic protectionism
Beyond the arrest controversy, Dube reiterated the movement’s core policy demands, which include declaring illegal immigration a national disaster, strengthening the powers and funding of the Border Management Authority, and amending legislation to reserve township and informal‑trading spaces exclusively for South African small businesses. He also criticized the recent Constitutional Court judgment, arguing that the government has failed to prioritize citizens’ concerns amid high unemployment and a rising cost of living. These positions frame the movement’s activism as a response to perceived governmental neglect of socioeconomic and security challenges.
Editorial perspective labeling Jacinta Ngobese‑Zuma a democratic threat
An accompanying editorial described Jacinta Ngobese‑Zuma as a threat to democracy, asserting that she must be stopped. The piece echoed the movement’s calls for stricter immigration controls, enhanced border management, and protectionist measures for local traders. It reinforced the narrative that the leadership of the March and March Movement poses a risk to national stability, aligning with the movement’s allegations of governmental inefficacy and the need for decisive state intervention.
NPA’s stance on commenting on operational matters and call for responsible discourse
Kganyago concluded by noting that the NPA generally refrains from commenting on operational issues, such as ongoing investigations or potential arrests, until judicial processes have been completed. He explained that once a matter is enrolled in court, the charges and reasons for prosecution become transparent through the normal judicial proceedings. The NPA urged individuals and organisations to avoid making unfounded allegations that could misrepresent or undermine the criminal‑justice process, reiterating its commitment to act without fear, favour, or prejudice. Despite the controversy, the March and March Movement affirmed it would proceed with its peaceful marches, continuing to press the government to prioritize citizens, secure the nation’s borders, and restore law and order.
