The March and March Movement has attributed the imminent arrest of its leader, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, and her husband, Xolani Zuma, to what it describes as a deliberate strategy by the Presidency to plunge the country into chaos ahead of the November 4 local government elections.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the movement claimed that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) had issued arrest warrants for Ngobese-Zuma and Xolani Zuma, who is the acting chief executive officer of the SA First Forum, with the arrests allegedly expected by Friday.
The movement accused the Presidency of attempting to intimidate civil society and avoid political embarrassment ahead of the elections.
“The March and March Movement views this reckless, politically motivated move as a deliberate strategy from the Presidency to plunge the country into chaos, intimidate civil society, and avoid the political embarrassment faced by the former ruling party ahead of the November elections,” the statement read.
It called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to publicly distance himself from what it described as political interference.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa must publicly distance himself from this reckless move and political interference,” the movement said.
The organisation claimed it had known about the alleged arrest plans for three months, alleging that an executive committee meeting of a political movement had discussed whether its leaders should be arrested before or after the elections.
The movement further alleged that preparations had been made to detain activists to provoke unrest and disrupt the electoral process.
“Maximum prison beds have already been prepared to detain citizen activists in an effort to cause civil unrest and disrupt the upcoming 04 November 2026 Local Government Elections,” the statement read.
The claims about the warrants, detention preparations and alleged political interference could not be independently verified.
The movement also expressed anger at KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli and ANC leadership over what it described as the deployment of law enforcement officers against peaceful protesters, including students.
“We express total disappointment and anger at IFP Premier Thami Ntuli and the ANC leadership for deploying forces against peaceful citizens and arresting activists, including students,” it said.
The organisation called on the Inkatha Freedom Party to distance itself from Ntuli, accusing him of prioritising political image over public safety.
“We are being intimidated for fighting for what is just and noble. We will continue to expose government failures in border security and systemic corruption that prioritises foreign nationals over South African citizens,” the movement said.
The movement reiterated its demands for the deportation of undocumented foreign nationals, amendments allowing the Border Management Authority to operate inland, and the declaration of illegal immigration as a national disaster.
It also called for legislation reserving township and informal trading opportunities for South African small businesses.
The organisation further demanded the immediate deployment of the South African National Defence Force to areas affected by illegal mining, identifying hotspots in Gauteng, North West, Mpumalanga, the Free State, Limpopo and the Northern Cape.
Instead of deploying state resources against protesters, the movement said, authorities should focus on illegal mining syndicates operating across the identified provinces.
The statement also urged South Africans to reject a recent Constitutional Court judgment, arguing that unemployment and the rising cost of living had left many citizens struggling.
The movement said it would proceed with its planned peaceful marches on Thursday to pressure the government to prioritise citizens, secure the country’s borders and restore law and order.