Mbalula Mocks March and March Split with Ngizwe Mchunu

By Echos News ZA Editorial Team
Published: July 31, 2026

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has mocked the internal divisions within the March and March movement, highlighting its split with former Ukhozi FM broadcaster Ngizwe Mchunu. The fallout has exposed fractures in the anti-immigration campaign, with Mchunu now running his own breakaway initiative.

Main Reporting

African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has ridiculed the turmoil within the March and March movement, following its decision to cut ties with Ngizwe Mchunu, a former Ukhozi FM radio presenter and outspoken anti-immigration activist. The split comes after an internal investigation by the organisation, which alleged attempts by political and business interests to destabilise the movement.

Mbalula said the divisions were inevitable, arguing that the movement had always been political in nature. He claimed to have predicted the cracks long before they became public, pointing to the organisation’s controversial calls for voters to support the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in Johannesburg.

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Internal Investigation and Fallout

On 27 July 2026, March and March formally announced its separation from Mchunu, citing findings that some members had accepted gratification “in exchange for the soul of the Movement.” The report described those involved as “lazy thinkers, criminals and beneficiaries of colonialism.”

Mchunu, once a central figure in the movement’s demonstrations, has since positioned himself as its fiercest opponent. He declared that “we cannot march forever,” directly challenging March and March’s slogan of perpetual protest. His departure has created a visible rift, with supporters now divided between loyalty to the original organisation and allegiance to Mchunu’s new initiative.

The fallout has also raised questions about the credibility of March and March’s leadership. Critics argue that the investigation was used as a tool to silence dissent, while supporters insist it was necessary to protect the integrity of the movement. The controversy has left many ordinary members uncertain about the future direction of the campaign.

Context and Political Undercurrents

Mbalula has accused March and March of being funded by domestic and international actors to undermine South Africa’s democracy. He warned that the movement was “a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” exploiting frustrations around immigration to advance political agendas. His remarks reflect the ANC’s broader concern that civil society protests are being manipulated to weaken the ruling party’s credibility.

The ANC leader also criticised Mchunu for double standards after a viral video showed him warmly welcoming a German immigrant while targeting African migrants. Mbalula argued that such behaviour revealed racial bias within parts of the anti-immigration campaign, undermining its claim to represent ordinary South Africans.

Observers note that the split highlights the fragile alliances within grassroots movements. While March and March initially drew attention for its mass demonstrations, its internal disputes have raised questions about its long-term sustainability and independence from political influence.

South Africa has a long history of protest movements, many of which have struggled to maintain unity once they gained national attention. Analysts suggest that March and March’s trajectory mirrors earlier campaigns that faltered due to leadership disputes and conflicting agendas.

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Developments After the Split

Following his departure, Mchunu met with the Hillbrow Police Station commander to discuss demands submitted during the June 30 protests. He announced plans for police-backed raids on buildings in Hillbrow from 5 August 2026, targeting alleged drug operations. His supporters cheered him on with Zulu war cries, signalling a shift from marches to direct action.

Meanwhile, March and March leader Jacinta MaNgobese Zuma has attempted to consolidate the organisation’s base, insisting that the movement remains committed to its original mission despite losing one of its most visible figures. She emphasised that the group will continue to campaign against illegal immigration and crime, portraying Mchunu’s departure as an opportunity to strengthen discipline within the ranks.

Analysts suggest that the rivalry between Mchunu and March and March could weaken both groups, reducing their influence ahead of upcoming local government elections. The competition for supporters may fragment the anti-immigration vote, limiting its impact on mainstream politics.

Community leaders in Johannesburg have expressed concern that the split could escalate tensions in areas already struggling with crime and unemployment. Some fear that rival demonstrations could lead to clashes between supporters, further destabilising local communities.

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What Happens Next

The split has left South Africa’s anti-immigration activism fractured. Mchunu’s new initiative promises “solution-based” actions, while March and March continues to frame itself as a grassroots movement. The divergence in strategies could confuse supporters, who may struggle to identify which group best represents their concerns.

Mbalula, however, remains confident that the ANC will withstand the pressure, portraying the divisions as proof that the movement was never a genuine civil society effort but a politically manipulated campaign. He has urged South Africans to remain vigilant against organisations that exploit social frustrations for hidden agendas.

Political analysts believe the coming months will determine whether March and March can survive without Mchunu’s charisma or whether his breakaway initiative will gain traction. Either way, the episode has exposed the challenges facing movements that rely heavily on personality-driven leadership rather than institutional stability.

For communities affected by crime and immigration concerns, the split may mean fewer coordinated protests and more fragmented activism. While some welcome the decline in disruptive marches, others fear that the lack of unity will weaken pressure on government institutions to act decisively.

In addition, civil society organisations monitoring xenophobia in South Africa have warned that fractured movements often become more radicalised. Without a central leadership structure, smaller factions may adopt harsher rhetoric or more aggressive tactics, potentially inflaming tensions in already volatile neighbourhoods.

Local government officials are preparing for possible unrest, with police increasing patrols in areas where March and March previously staged demonstrations. Authorities say they are committed to balancing the right to protest with the need to maintain public order, but acknowledge that rival groups could complicate enforcement.

Economists have also weighed in, noting that prolonged instability around immigration debates could affect investor confidence. Businesses operating in Johannesburg and Durban have expressed concern that ongoing protests and raids could disrupt commerce, particularly in sectors reliant on migrant labour.

For ordinary South Africans, the split represents both relief and uncertainty. Some residents welcome the decline in large-scale marches that often blocked roads and disrupted daily life. Others worry that fragmented activism will reduce pressure on government to address legitimate concerns about crime, housing, and employment.

Ultimately, the future of March and March and Mchunu’s breakaway initiative will depend on their ability to maintain relevance beyond street protests. Analysts argue that unless either group develops concrete policy proposals and engages constructively with government institutions, their influence will fade over time.

For now, Mbalula’s mocking tone reflects the ANC’s confidence that the divisions will weaken the movement’s credibility. Whether that confidence is justified will become clear in the months ahead, as South Africa navigates the complex intersection of immigration, politics, and grassroots activism.

Source: Pretoria News via MSN | By: Sabelo Nsele

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