KuGompo City: Police Clash With Citizens As Tensions Escalate During March Against Foreign Nationals

• Citizens took to the streets in KuGompo City, Eastern Cape, to protest against the presence of foreign nationals in the area
• Police fired stun grenades and rubber bullets at citizens after tensions flared during the latest march in the city
• The latest march comes a week after the area was rocked by a violent protest, which was sparked by the stabbing of a South African

Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.

EASTERN CAPE – One person has been arrested after tensions flared up in KuGompo City once more during a march against foreign nationals.

Citizens of the Eastern Cape city took to the streets on Wednesday, 08 April 2026, to protest against the presence of foreign nationals. The march comes a week after residents protested against the coronation of a Nigerian king.

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Numerous vehicles were stoned and set alight during that protest on 30 March 2026, which turned violent after a South African was allegedly stabbed by a foreign national.

Alleged instigator arrested by police

Tensions flared during Tuesday’s march as police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse the angry crowds.

The crowd had marched to an area known as California, which they claimed was a hub for drugs and other illegal activities. Police also arrested one man who they alleged was trying to instigate violence and who attacked a service member.

Some of the residents who were part of the protest disputed this, saying that the police were pushing people around, which led the man to stand up for himself.

Why have tensions been high in KuGompo City?

There has been a lot of tension in KuGompo City after videos surfaced online of the coronation of a Nigerian king, Chief Solomon Ogbonna Eziko. The Nigerian, who has been living in South Africa for years, was reportedly crowned with the title ‘Igwe Ndigbo Na East London’.

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The uproar led to protests by March and March, political parties, other concerned organisations and residents. They all marched towards the city hall to voice their frustrations over the presence of foreign nationals in the country, particularly with one claiming to be the king of a South African city.

The march was peaceful and was almost at its conclusion before the crowds turned violent in response to the stabbing. Police were called in and fired tear gas, rubber bullers and stun grenades to disperse the crowds.

Other stories about the march against the king

Briefly News has covered several angles around the march against the coronation of the king, especially focusing on the aftermath of it.

• The Amathole House of Traditional Leaders has reacted to the coronation of Chief Solomon Ogbonna Eziko in KuGompo City.
• A man was left devastated after he discovered that his car had been vandalised by angry residents during the protest in KuGompo City.
• Looters targeted an Eastern Cape butchery after a peaceful protest turned violent in KuGompo City.

Source: Briefly News