March and March Movement
Monishka Govender|Published
KwaZulu-Natal police say they have no record of criminal cases or arrest warrants against March and March Movement leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma and SA First Forum acting CEO Xolani Zuma.
This follows a statement by the March and March Movement alleging that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) had issued warrants for the arrest of its founder and leader, Ngobese-Zuma, and her husband Xolani Zuma on or before Friday, October 16.
Sandile Dube, the national spokesperson for the March and March Movement, told sundaytribune.co.za that March and March had noted the statements released by the SAPS and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regarding the alleged arrest claims involving leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma.
However, he said the movement stood by the information it had received, insisting that the claims had not emerged without reason.
“We do not think the two institutions are wrong with their information, but those claims did not surface out of nowhere. Where there is smoke, there is fire,” said Dube.
Dube said the movement hoped the authorities were being truthful and had conducted thorough investigations, adding that Ngobese-Zuma’s safety remained a major concern amid the threats she had allegedly received and the online leak of her residential address.
“The government must provide maximum security for Jacinta, especially after all the threats she has been receiving. Her address was also leaked online. We remain worried about her safety, we cannot relax and we feel the claims against her and her arrest are true,” he said.
KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the allegations were unfounded.
“Police in KwaZulu-Natal hereby dismiss rumours, allegations or pronouncement that a warrant of arrest was issued for the arrest of March and March and South Africa First Forum leaders.
“Police do not react or respond to baseless allegations such as this one. However, given the situation on the ground and the potential of such allegations to cause panic among some residents, police would like to set the record straight and dismiss rumours of any warrant of arrest issued against the two individuals.”
Netshiunda said police had no record of any criminal case registered against either Ngobese-Zuma or Xolani Zuma.
“As a matter of fact, police do not have a trace of any case registered against the two. Police wish to encourage activists to be responsible leaders and refrain from making statements that can be considered malicious, reckless and have 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 also rejected suggestions that law enforcement agencies were targeting individuals, insisting that police would continue carrying out their duties regardless of public statements.
“No amount of public statements will derail police from enforcing the law. Police do not engage in a witch hunt and do not target anyone.
“Those who wish to disclose a warrant of arrest issued against them are advised to quote the type of charge they are facing so that the public they are communicating to do not speculate and live in uncertainty,” said Netshiunda.
The police statement follows comments by Dube, the national spokesperson for the March and March Movement, who claimed the alleged warrants were part of a politically motivated effort to intimidate activists ahead of the November 4 local government elections.
Dube alleged that preparations had been made to detain the activists and linked the claims to the movement’s ongoing protests and its criticism of the government.
“Maximum prison beds have already been prepared to detain citizen activists in an effort to cause civil unrest and disrupt the upcoming 04 November 2026 Local Government Elections.
“We knew three months ago that an executive committee meeting of a failing political movement met to discuss whether to arrest our leaders before or after elections; these looming arrests are no coincidence. The movement had always known that this arrest was planned for just after the elections, but with recent pressure through our countrywide marches, the NPA is receiving undue political pressure to act immediately,” he said.
He further alleged that the planned arrests were being accelerated because of pressure arising from the movement’s countrywide marches.
“The March and March Movement views this reckless, politically motivated move as a deliberate strategy from the Presidency to plunge the country into chaos, intimidate civil society, and avoid the political embarrassment faced by the former ruling party ahead of the November elections,” Dube said.
He called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to distance himself from what the movement described as political interference and intimidation.
Dube maintained that the movement would continue campaigning on issues including border security, corruption and the prioritisation of South African citizens.
“We call on our people to remain focused and continue to march peacefully until victory is achieved,” he said.
The movement also reaffirmed its intention to proceed with its scheduled Thursday peaceful marches, calling on the government to prioritise South Africans, secure the country's borders and restore law and order.