MPUMZI MSHWESHWE and
ASANDA NINI
A peaceful march through the CBD turned violent on Monday as protesters objecting to foreign influence in Buffalo City metro began smashing and setting fire to foreign-owned vehicles and businesses. Police used stun grenades and teargas to quell the mob.
Ten vehicles believed to belong to foreign nationals were stoned and some torched by rioting protesters.
The march was organised in protest at the circulation of an unconfirmed video of the “coronation” of a Nigerian Igbo “king”, Chief Solomon Ogbonna Eziko, earlier in March.
Provincial authorities and cultural experts later condemned the coronation and the Nigerian high commission called it “a mere cultural celebration”, apologising for “the negative perception”.
“This is an isolated cultural event and does not constitute a desire to establish a kingdom or usurp the traditional authorities in the Eastern Cape,” acting Nigerian high commissioner Alex Ajayi said in a letter to Eastern Cape leaders.
The demonstration on Monday was organised by Contralesa, together with the anti-illegal migration organisation, March and March Movement, led by Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, who has previously been accused of inciting public violence against undocumented foreign nationals.
Among the protesters was a group that had travelled from KwaZulu-Natal, including controversial cultural activist Ngizwe Mchunu.
On Monday, the group marched from Quigney to the City Hall to hand over a memorandum to co-operative governance and traditional affairs deputy minister Zolile Burns-Ncamashe.
Provincial police spokesperson Brig Nobuntu Gantana confirmed that vehicles and one business were torched.
Premier Oscar Mabuyane said: “We are concerned about people from other provinces, with the history of causing anarchy and chaos, coming to mobilise people here. That is tantamount to inciting violence.”
Ngobese-Zuma said the country had “kept quiet while foreign nationals were doing as they pleased, so much so that they feel that they need to bring a king here”.
ActionSA provincial chair Athol Trollip confirmed that he and some members of his party, including national spokesperson Lerato Ngobeni, were part of the protest.
“We cannot allow people from foreign countries to come and establish phony kingships.
“But before we could do spread that message, one of the marchers got stabbed, setting off an already emotional, tense atmosphere,” Trollip said.
Yussuf Ismael, who owns a butchery in the city, said some people used the opportunity to loot.
Ismael, who was visibly shaken, said: “We are afraid. We moved far away from our shop [to escape]. Some people, their main aim is to loot or break something, and they are looking for foreigners,” he said.
A woman, who asked not to be named, said protesters had said they “want to take everything in the shop … I am very scared. This is bad.”
Another unnamed foreign national said he did not understand why they were under attack.
“Our cars are burnt, we don’t know what is happening or where to go,” he said.
Amarharhabe royal Prince Xolani Sandile said all tribes were up in arms over the “coronation”.
“We humbly ask that the government play its part and no more blood is spilt,” Sandile said.
Burns-Ncamashe said the petition “expressed disgust and disdain” and said foreign nationals had “overstayed their welcome”.
Burns-Ncamashe said that on April 8, provincial traditional leaders would meet the acting high commissioner.
BCM mayor Princess Faku said: “We want to condemn any form of chaos in the city because this march was not intended for that.”
A statement from BCM added: “We appeal to all foreign nationals to abide with immigration laws and to respect traditional institutions.”
