Tension has escalated in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province after protests against the reported coronation of an Igbo traditional ruler turned violent.
The demonstrations began on Monday. Members of ActionSA, traditional leaders, and residents led the protests. They opposed what they described as a breach of the province’s sovereignty, constitutional order, and recognised traditional leadership system.
The situation worsened in KuGompo City. The protest later descended into violence. Security agencies stepped in to disperse the crowd, according to SABC News.
Clips shared on X showed vehicles and buildings set ablaze. Some of the properties reportedly belonged to foreign nationals. Security forces intensified efforts to restore calm in the affected areas.
“Protesters have torched vehicles and buildings allegedly belonging to foreign nationals in protest against the installation of a Nigerian king in the Eastern Cape,” Newsroom Afrika reported.
CDR Africa also indicated that the unrest reflected growing anger over the coronation, with foreign-owned businesses becoming targets.
eNCA reported that the crisis turned deadly after a stabbing incident allegedly linked to Ethiopian shop owners. At least two persons were hospitalised, while several vehicles were destroyed.
The Eastern Cape chairman of ActionSA, Athol Trollip, reiterated the party’s stance against the coronation. He described the move as unlawful and inconsistent with the country’s traditional leadership framework.
He said, “With the traditional leadership of the Eastern Cape, all the traditional leaders, and the people of the province, let me state clearly that ActionSA’s policy on illegal immigration is very clear. If you are in this country illegally and commit any offence, you will be sent back home.
“This is a sovereign nation. It is our nation, and we are protected by a constitution. Nowhere in our constitution is there a provision for a Nigerian from the Igbo tribe to be crowned as a king in the Eastern Cape.
“Beyond that, the utterances made at the coronation are what concern us as a party. They claimed to have established a kingship.”
He stressed that the party supports recognised traditional authorities and insisted that due process must be followed in cultural matters.
“We have a painful history of homelands in this province—the former Ciskei and Transkei—where people were displaced, their land expropriated, and opportunities limited. We will not tolerate the establishment of another homeland.
“They went further to say they would encourage their brothers and sisters in Nigeria, in their hundreds of thousands, to come and establish a homeland here. That will not happen. This province is not up for the taking.
“We respect our traditional leaders. There are five recognised kingships acknowledged by the president and the constitution.
“We also take exception to the Nigerian Embassy’s claim that the coronation was merely customary. We want the Nigerian government to speak clearly against it, and we want our government to make an unambiguous statement affirming its recognition of existing traditional leaders and rejecting any Igbo kingship in the Eastern Cape or South Africa,” he added.
Some protesters issued warnings during the unrest. They threatened to intensify actions if authorities fail to address their concerns.
One of the protesters, Inoksi Sigcawu, said residents might resort to extreme measures if the matter remains unresolved. Others called for the deportation of Nigerians linked to the coronation.
Sigcawu said, “Our sovereignty is defined by the Constitution and the laws of this country. No one can come from elsewhere and undermine the authority of this nation or this kingdom.
“We are led by King Jongilizwe Sandile, a descendant of King Palo. We are appealing to the government to ensure that anyone involved in this illegal coronation is removed from the country immediately, whether they entered legally or not.
“We also call on authorities to investigate foreign-owned businesses, including spaza shops, to verify documentation.
“If law enforcement fails to act, people may take matters into their own hands. We do not want that, but we will not allow our authority to be undermined.”
He added that urgent action is necessary to prevent further escalation.
The protesters had earlier marched through parts of the province. They demanded immediate government intervention and warned of more unrest if no action is taken.
Meanwhile, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission said it had not received any official report of attacks on Nigerians. The commission dismissed claims circulating on social media.
The spokesperson for NiDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said the agency relies on verified reports through official channels.
“Well, we will get a report from our embassy there. I cannot comment on your report,” he said.
Balogun noted that no victim or authority had formally reported the incident.
“I cannot respond to social media reports. When incidents of this magnitude occur, they are usually reported through official channels and captured by our diplomatic missions,” he added.
He assured that the commission would engage Nigeria’s embassy in South Africa to confirm the situation.
In a related development, the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria issued an advisory on Monday evening. It urged Nigerians living in South Africa to remain cautious.
The mission advised them to keep a low profile, avoid large gatherings, reduce unnecessary travel, and exercise caution on social media. It warned that misinformation could worsen tensions.
The High Commission stated that the advisory is not intended to cause panic but to promote safety and responsible conduct during the period of uncertainty.
