The demonstration, led by several traditional leaders, was held in opposition to the coronation of a so-called Nigerian King.
Protesters have torched vehicles and buildings. Picture: X/@Abramjee
Eastern Cape police say no arrests were made following volatile protests in opposition to the coronation of a Nigerian king.
More than ten vehicles were torched in KuGompo, formerly East London, on Monday during demonstrations led by traditional leaders and community groups.
Violence
The Amathole House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders has issued an unequivocal demand: Solomon Ogbonna Eziko, the Nigerian national coronated as Igwe Ndigbo in KuGompo earlier this month, must be deported, along with every individual who took part in the ceremony.
The march had been lawfully applied for and initially proceeded without incident. However, as traditional leaders addressed the crowd from the back of an open vehicle, violence broke out.
A group began hurling stones at buildings, vehicles, and property before setting several vehicles alight. Police responded with rubber bullets and stun grenades.
By the time order was partially restored, at least 10 vehicles had been damaged and two individuals injured. Businesses along the route shut their shops ahead of the crowd’s arrival, with a local mechanic telling reporters that protesters had thrown stones and bricks at properties in the area.
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No Arrests
Police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana said they are on alert and monitoring the situation.
Confirmed figures of damaged vehicles are 10, with one partially torched building in North End. Firefighters arrived in time to extinguish the fire.
“Thus far, no arrests have been made. Public Order Police are monitoring the affected areas,” Gantana said.
Albany, Buffalo and Oxford Streets remain the most affected areas.
“The public is urged to exercise caution in these areas.”
Unrest: East London.Protesters have torched vehicles and buildings.
– Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) March 30, 2026
Reports say property belonging to foreign nationals are being targeted in protest against the installation of a Nigerian king in the Eastern Cape. pic.twitter.com/maT4GqT0iM
Deportation
The call for the deportation of Eziko was echoed at the highest levels of Parliament.
In a formal letter to the Minister of Home Affairs on 30 March 2026, African Transformation Movement (ATM) parliamentary leader Vuyo Zungula demanded the government initiate an urgent investigation into the immigration status of all individuals involved in the coronation and move swiftly to “arrest, prosecute and deport all individuals involved in the unlawful coronation.”
Additional reporting by Enkosi Selane
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