Anti-illegal migration activist to surrender to police on incitement charges
March and March movement founder Jacinta Ngobese Zuma will surrender to police on Tuesday following charges of inciting public violence through alleged anti-immigrant comments.
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The March and March Movement says its leader and founder, Mrs Jacinta Ngobese Zuma, will hand herself over to police on Tuesday morning following a decision by the South African Police Service to charge her with allegedly inciting public violence.
In a statement issued on Monday, the movement said police intend to criminally charge Ngobese Zuma in connection with comments allegedly directed at illegal immigrants.
The organisation criticised the state’s approach, arguing that authorities were targeting South African citizens who, it claims, are advocating for the rights of marginalised communities, while failing to act decisively against criminal activity.
“The state finds it easy to arrest and abuse voters and taxpayers, while foreign nationals who are in the country illegally continue to sell drugs and illicit goods unabated,” the statement said.
According to the movement, Ngobese Zuma will present herself at the Point SAPS police station at 7.30am to be formally charged and is expected to make a court appearance thereafter. At the time of publishing she hadn't handed herself over as the station's gates were locked.
Scores of supporters carrying placards were seen singing struggle songs in front of the police station in anticipation of Ngobese Zuma's handover.
The group emphasised that she would do so as a “law-abiding citizen”.
The March and March Movement also used the statement to reaffirm its political stance, warning that it would not be deterred by what it described as attempts to silence its leadership.
“We wish to warn apartheid apologists that we will not be deterred, we will not stop fighting until our people are free and liberated,” the statement said, adding what it claims is the occupation of the country by criminals from all over the world.
Police had not yet responded to requests for comment at the time of publication, and details of the specific charges had not been publicly released.
Ngobese Zuma has in recent months emerged as a controversial figure amid heightened tensions around immigration, crime and public order, with her remarks drawing both support and criticism across the political spectrum.
The anti-illegal migration movement has been protesting outside the Addington Primary School after it alleged that children of foreign nations were being prioritised over South African children, a claim rejected by the school and the Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal.