In a dramatic climax to two weeks of school-gate standoffs, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, leader of the anti-illegal immigration group March and March, has announced she will hand herself over to the South African Police Service (SAPS) today, Tuesday, 27 January 2026.
The firebrand activist and former radio presenter is reportedly facing charges of public violence and incitement following a series of volatile protests at Addington Primary School in Durban’s South Beach.
The “Addington Crisis” Unpacked
The warrant for Ngobese-Zuma’s arrest follows a period of intense friction at the primary school, where “March and March” and members of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party have staged pickets since the 2026 academic year began on January 14.
- The Core Complaint: Ngobese-Zuma alleges that 66 South African children—many of whom are still living in shelters following the 2022 floods—have been denied placement at Addington while available spots were allegedly filled by the children of foreign nationals.
- The Department’s Defense: The KZN Department of Education has slammed the protests as “misinformed,” revealing that 62% (968 out of 1,548) of the learners currently at the school are verified South African citizens.
- The “Greyville” Disconnect: Authorities offered to place the remaining unplaced children at schools in Greyville, but Ngobese-Zuma and the parents have rejected this, citing unaffordable transport costs for families who can walk to the inner-city Addington campus.
Escalating Tensions
The protests have been marked by a heavy police presence and brief scuffles.
- Police Tactics: Ngobese-Zuma recently accused SAPS of using “apartheid-era techniques,” including water cannons, against peaceful South Africans.
- Allegations of Intimidation: Rival community groups and education experts have condemned the demonstrations, alleging that foreign children have been traumatized by “derogatory songs” and insults hurled during the pickets.
Royal Support?
The standoff has reached the highest levels of traditional leadership. Last week, at the Battle of Isandlwana commemoration, King Misuzulu kaZwelithini specifically referenced the Addington crisis. While calling for calm and noting that many children are “nephews and nieces” of the Zulu nation, he echoed the sentiment that illegal foreigners “must leave.”
A Defiant Surrender
Ngobese-Zuma, who left Vuma FM last year under a cloud of political controversy, remained unapologetic ahead of her surrender.
“I am a mother fighting for South African children. If the government thinks they can silence me by throwing me in a cell while our kids sit at home, they are mistaken,” she said via a social media broadcast.
She is expected to arrive at the Durban Central Police Station this morning, accompanied by her legal team and a convoy of “March and March” supporters. A bail application is anticipated shortly thereafter.
