SAPS Responds to March and March's Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma Over Foreign Nationals Circular
- March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma received a formal response from SAPS after challenging a police circular on targeting foreign nationals
- The SAPS letter references Section 13(3)(a) of the Police Service Act and signals that a revision to the circular is underway
- Ngobese-Zuma's legal challenge drew significant public attention, with South Africans rallying behind her stance online
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SOUTH AFRICA — The South African Police Service has written formally to March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma following her legal opposition to a SAPS circular that restricted officers from accompanying citizens and civil society groups identifying undocumented foreign nationals in communities.
The letter, dated in response to correspondence from 12 August 2026, was issued by the Divisional Commissioner for Visible Policing and Operations at SAPS Head Office. It was directed to Ngobese-Zuma through her legal representatives, Zuma and Partners Incorporated, based in Morningside, Durban. Enquiries on the matter were attributed to Lieutenant General MJ Mamotheti.
SAPS signals circular revision
In the letter, SAPS reaffirmed its commitment to constitutional and lawful conduct and acknowledged the concerns raised regarding its members' powers when community members demand police assistance in targeting foreign nationals. The service referenced Section 13(3)(a) of the South African Police Service Act, 1995 (Act No. 68 of 1995) as the legislative basis for its position.
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Significantly, SAPS stated it is in the process of revising the circular to address the issues raised, a development that signals Ngobese-Zuma's legal challenge has prompted internal review. Ngobese-Zuma shared the letter on X on 24 August 2026, drawing widespread public reaction from South Africans who have followed her campaign closely.
View the post on X:
Public backs Ngobese-Zuma's legal stand
South Africans responded with strong support for Ngobese-Zuma, who recently met with AfriForum, after she published the SAPS correspondence.
@MbusoGo wrote:
"Your next meeting should be with Advocate Sikhakhane… compare notes… far and wide. You've got this."
@ThandoZ27 said:
"Siyabonga @JacintaNgobese for standing in the gap between this unpatriotic government and the citizens. May God continue to bless you and your family. May His Presence engulf you and your loved ones all the time."
@LaStampa3 added:
"Whenever you feel discouraged and considering giving up, just remember that you are representing the silent majority that is tired of being abused and neglected by their own government. Thank you for your courage. Aluta continua."
@MokoatediSebet1 stated simply:
"You are working for us."
@Daniel18600672 raised a broader question, writing:
"Why would they even circulate such an instruction. This seems to come from political leadership."
Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma challenges SADC leaders
In a related article, Briefly News reported on March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese Zuma's protest during the SADC Summit in Durban, where she urged leaders to confront the challenges of undocumented immigration affecting South Africa. Her impassioned appeal emphasized that South Africa is overwhelmed and cannot continue to bear the burden of the continent's migration issues alone.
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Source: Briefly News
