Zainul Dawood|Published
The March and March Movement dominated headlines this week, both inside and outside the Durban Magistrate's Court, amid protests, court appearances and claims that arrest warrants had been issued for its leader, Jacinta MaNgobese-Zuma.
Nineteen people directly or indirectly affiliated with the movement appeared in the Durban court on Friday, facing various charges linked to public violence. The movement has emerged as a prominent voice in South Africa’s heated immigration debate, calling for action against undocumented foreign nationals.
On Thursday, an explosive claim about arrest warrants rocked the movement after lawyer Xolani Zuma announced that warrants had been issued for him and his wife, Ngobese-Zuma, the movement’s leader.
Arrest warrants
Zuma said the alleged warrants were related to the activities of the controversial movement, which has campaigned against undocumented immigration. However, his statement did not specify the activities allegedly linked to the warrants, and the claims had not been independently confirmed.
The announcement prompted a defiant response from the movement’s supporters, particularly the thousands who have rallied behind its leadership on social media.
Both the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and KwaZulu-Natal police moved to dismiss the claims. The NPA denied that arrest warrants had been issued for the pair, stressing that prosecutorial decisions were independent and not influenced by political parties, public office-bearers or other individuals.
Stop unfounded allegations - NPA
The NPA said its decisions were guided by the Constitution, legislation and the available evidence.
“As a general principle, the NPA does not normally make comments on matters of operations such as possible arrests and investigations before the law enforcement process involved is completed,” said NPA national spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago.
The NPA urged individuals and organisations to refrain from making unfounded allegations that could misrepresent or undermine the criminal justice system.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda also dismissed rumours and allegations that arrest warrants had been issued for the leaders of the movement and the South Africa First Forum.
“Police do not react or respond to baseless allegations such as this one,” Netshiunda said.
No case registered, police say
However, given the situation on the ground and the potential for such allegations to cause panic among residents, police wanted to set the record straight.
Netshiunda said police had no record of a case registered against the two leaders. He urged activists to act responsibly and refrain from making statements that could be considered malicious or reckless, or that had the potential to incite violence.
“If a person suspects that there is a warrant of arrest issued against them, concerned parties must contact the police to verify so that they can communicate facts,” he said.
Netshiunda said police would continue enforcing the law and did not engage in witch-hunts or target individuals.
Three members face charges
Meanwhile, March and March members Wandile “Method” Nsibande, 37, Sphelele Magolide Shinga, 40, and Malizo Dzanibe, 31, face charges of incitement to commit public violence, public violence, and acting in a riotous or physically threatening manner.
The men were arrested outside the Home Affairs Durban Refugee Reception Centre on Saturday, October 10, following a week-long protest against illegal immigration and the recent Constitutional Court ruling on asylum seekers’ applications.
Nsibande, who is out on parole, faced a challenge in his bid for bail.
Packed courtroom
Ahead of Monday's court appearance, movement supporters walked from the Home Affairs office on Che Guevara Road to the court to show solidarity with the arrested members and students apprehended following looting incidents in Durban on October 8.
The courtroom was packed, with a large contingent of journalists from mainstream media outlets and social media platforms covering the proceedings. Several journalists and podcasters with substantial online followings recorded the court proceedings, while members of the Zuma family and movement supporters also occupied seats in the courtroom.
Some of the protesters, including people who identified themselves as students, appeared tired and unfamiliar with court procedures. Some asked lawyer Zuma to represent them pro bono.
Zuma argued that the State was acting out of what he described as a perceived fear.
The State, meanwhile, had to remind the accused to take the proceedings seriously after they were seen laughing during the court hearing.
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