The National Prosecuting Authority has denied claims that arrest warrants have been issued for March and March Movement leader Jacinta MaNgobese-Zuma and her husband, Xolani Zuma.
The denial came after Xolani Zuma said he had received information that warrants had allegedly been issued against him and Ngobese-Zuma. The movement said the reported legal action was linked to its activities, including its campaign against undocumented immigration in South Africa.
The NPA said no arrest warrants had been issued.
“The NPA wishes to categorically deny that any warrant of arrest was issued,” the authority said in a statement.
The statement contradicted the claims made by the movement and followed public comments from Xolani Zuma that he and Ngobese-Zuma were prepared to hand themselves over if the reports proved to be true.
At the time of Zuma’s announcement, the specific activities allegedly linked to the reported warrants had not been identified. There had also been no independent confirmation that the warrants existed.
NPA national spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said prosecutorial decisions were made independently and were not influenced by political parties, public office holders or other individuals.
He said decisions were guided by the Constitution, legislation and the evidence available to prosecutors.
“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,” Kganyago said.
The authority said that if a matter was enrolled in court, the charges and reasons for prosecution would become known through the judicial process.
It also urged individuals and organisations not to make unfounded allegations that could misrepresent or undermine the criminal justice system.
“The NPA remains dedicated to discharging its functions without fear, favour or prejudice,” it said.
Xolani Zuma says leaders were ready to surrender
Before the NPA issued its denial, Xolani Zuma said he and Ngobese-Zuma were prepared to face the authorities if the information about the alleged warrants was confirmed.
Zuma questioned whether the information was genuine and said the movement’s team was working to establish the facts.
“I do not believe that it is true, but to the extent that it is, we are available to hand ourselves over to the Police today,” he said.
His statement did not identify the alleged offences or the specific March and March activities that might have prompted the reported warrants.
The movement has campaigned against undocumented immigration and called for stronger action on border control and the protection of South African citizens.
It has also criticised government policy on immigration and asylum registration and has called for changes to the Border Management Authority framework.
The movement has denied that its campaign is intended to promote violence and has described its planned demonstrations as peaceful.
In a statement carried by TimesLIVE, the movement alleged that any planned arrests could be politically motivated ahead of the local government elections scheduled for November 4. The NPA’s denial did not address that political allegation but rejected the claim that warrants had been issued.
The movement had also said it would continue its planned marches and online campaign while it sought clarity about the reported legal action.
Supporters respond to reports
The alleged warrant claims prompted a defiant response from some March and March supporters.
Supporter Sizwesethu Ndlangisa said the movement would continue its campaign regardless of the reported developments.
“If being South African is a crime then asiboshwe. Until we win,” Ndlangisa said.
Another supporter, Nkulumane Tribe, said that if the alleged warrants were an attempt to stop peaceful protest, there could be political consequences.
“If this is an attempt to silence peaceful protest, it is a reckless abuse of power and yet another reason to vote this government out. Sebephelelwe amacebo (They have run out of ideas),” Tribe said.
The comments were made before the NPA’s categorical denial that any warrants had been issued.
Zuma appealed for calm among members of the movement while the claims were being investigated.
“Our team is investigating the veracity of the information, and we request all the members of March and March Movement to remain calm during this period, we still call for peaceful solutions to our domestic problems,” he said.
Recent arrests involving movement members
The dispute over the alleged warrants comes after several March and March activists appeared in the Durban Magistrates’ Court following unrest and protests in the city.
Two alleged activists, Aphelele “Magolide” Shinga and Malizo Tzanibe, were granted R1,000 bail each. A third accused, Wandile Nsibande, remained in custody pending a formal bail application.
The accused face charges including public violence, obstruction of public roads, carrying dangerous weapons and public intimidation. The allegations have not been tested in a criminal trial.
The State opposed bail for some of the accused and referred to videos that allegedly showed protesters shutting down businesses owned by foreign nationals, obstructing roads and carrying dangerous weapons. Prosecutors also referred to alleged social media threats to disrupt the MTN8 final.
The accused’s lawyers disputed the allegations and argued that there was no evidence showing that their clients had caused the alleged damage.
The magistrate granted bail to two of the accused and ordered them to avoid confronting foreign nationals and going near government officials at the Home Affairs office on Moore Road.
Ngobese-Zuma defended the arrested members after the court appearance and said they had been arrested for exercising their right to demonstrate.
“There was nothing wrong done by our arrested members. It is clear that they were arrested for exercising their rights to demonstrate. The state cannot prove that the accused did something violent that caused outrage out there,” she said.
The bail proceedings and the alleged warrants involving Ngobese-Zuma and Xolani Zuma are separate matters. The NPA has not announced charges against either of the movement leaders in its statement denying that warrants were issued.
NPA calls for verified information
The NPA said it generally does not comment on possible arrests or investigations before the relevant law-enforcement process is complete.
The authority said that when a matter is formally brought before a court, the charges and reasons for prosecution will be disclosed through the judicial process.
That position means the NPA’s current statement confirms only that no arrest warrant had been issued against the two leaders at the time of its announcement. It does not provide details about any possible investigation or future prosecutorial decision.
Kganyago stressed that the NPA’s decisions are guided by the Constitution, legislation and available evidence.
The authority urged the public and organisations to avoid presenting unverified information as fact, saying such claims could undermine confidence in the criminal justice system.
The March and March Movement has continued with its calls for action against undocumented immigration, tighter border controls and policies that prioritise South African citizens.
The movement has also said it supports peaceful solutions to the country’s domestic problems.
Ngobese-Zuma and Xolani Zuma have not been arrested in connection with the alleged warrants. The NPA said no warrants had been issued, while the movement’s earlier claim remains unsubstantiated.
The situation may develop if law-enforcement authorities open a case, issue charges or enrol a matter in court. Until then, the NPA’s position is that no arrest warrant exists against the pair.