Protests turn violent in South Africa over installation of Igbo chief in Eastern Cape
What began as a cultural ceremony by Nigeria’s Igbo community in South Africa has escalated into a diplomatic and security crisis, with violent protests erupting today in KuGompo City (formerly known as East London) in the Eastern Cape province.
Videos and images of Chief Solomon Ogbonna Eziko being crowned “Igwe Ndigbo” in the city went viral, triggering outrage from residents, political parties, and traditional leaders who condemned the ceremony as unlawful.
Chaos erupted on Monday as cars were set ablaze and property was vandalised. A man was stabbed during the protests, fire services were dispatched to the scene, and police used teargas to disperse the crowd. A butchery’s truck filled with meat was also looted as protesters targeted businesses in the area.
The controversy centres on the March 14 installation of Chief Solomon Ogbonna Eziko as Igwe Ndigbo — a title used by Igbo communities to designate a cultural leader — during a ceremony held in the KuGompo area.
The Eastern Cape House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders condemned the incident, with Chairperson Nkosi Mpumalanga Gwadiso describing it as “a flagrant violation of established customary protocols” and a direct affront to South Africa’s traditional leadership institutions. He noted that the area falls under the authority of the amaRharhabe Kingdom, led by King Sandile.
Scores of KuGompo City residents and traditional leaders joined the demonstration today, with political parties including ActionSA and the Patriotic Alliance also participating.
Protesters stormed the streets demanding the immediate deportation of Nigerians linked to the event. Prince Xhanti Sigcawu from the Amathole House of Traditional Leaders warned: “We want to avoid turmoil because we will really take up arms if this is not immediately attended to.”
ActionSA caucus leader Athol Trollip said the party was alarmed that members of the Nigerian community had installed a traditional leader in the area, adding: “South Africa is a sovereign country, and ActionSA will not stand by while a group of foreigners arrogates itself authority to install and coronate a king on South African soil.”
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo South Africa (ONSA), has rejected claims that a monarchy was formed, insisting the event was purely cultural. The title “Igwe” is widely used within Igbo communities abroad to provide cultural leadership and organise community affairs — a practice that exists in diaspora communities around the world.
The Nigerian High Commission in South Africa also condemned the coronation, with Patriotic Alliance spokesperson Steve Motale confirming: “We are happy that even the Nigerian High Commissioner in SA has also condemned it.”
Protesters dismissed claims attributed to the Nigerian diplomatic mission that the coronation was merely symbolic, with one demonstrator saying: “The embassy of Nigeria said that it was just a customary thing, it wasn’t much, and they do it all over the world. It is not true.”
The incident has reignited tensions around the treatment of Nigerians in South Africa, a relationship that has been periodically strained by xenophobic violence. The Eastern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs distanced his department from the installation, and the African Transformation Movement has called for a full government investigation.
The House of Traditional Leaders warned that the development “carries the potential to inflame tensions and jeopardise social cohesion,” while stressing that traditional leaders in the province had “consistently stood against xenophobia, violence and division.”
The situation in KuGompo City remains tense as police continue operations at the scene.
