March and March Plans Ladysmith Protest After 20-Year-Old Shot Dead in Clash With Foreign Nationals

• March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma announced that a protest will be held in Ladysmith following a fatal shooting
• Banele Manyoni, a 20-year-old, was shot dead during a confrontation between foreign nationals and community members
• South Africans took to social media to weigh in on the youngster's tragic death and the movement's plans to march
• Police spokesman Warrant Officer Basheer Khan confirmed that a murder case was being investigated

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.

KWAZULU-NATAL - March and March plans to take to the streets in Ladysmith after a 20-year-old man was tragically killed, allegedly by a foreign national.

Banele Manyoni was shot dead following a confrontation between community members and foreign nationals in the Tsakane area of Steadville, Ladysmith, on Sunday, 30 August 2026. Police spokesman Warrant Officer Basheer Khan confirmed to Briefly News that Ladysmith detectives were investigating a murder case after the body was discovered at the scene.

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According to initial police information, the shooting occurred amid a broader altercation between residents and foreign nationals, during which multiple gunshots were fired. A man suspected of firing the fatal shot was taken in for questioning but was subsequently released.

March and March to take to the streets

March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma shared news of the shooting on X on 1 September 2026, describing Manyoni as having been targeted for his anti-illegal immigration stance.

She also indicated that a march would be held on 3 September 2026, starting at 09:00 from Illing Road in Ladysmith, to demand justice for Manyoni. Organisers specified that no weapons would be permitted at the demonstration.

In her post, Ngobese-Zuma also claimed that Manyoni was shot by a Pakistani national, however, the police did not confirm the nationality of the person who was originally taken in for questioning.

How did South Africans react?

The death drew sharp reactions on social media, with many users expressing grief and frustration over violence they linked to the ongoing immigration debate in South Africa.

@ms_tourist wrote:

"This will not trend. May the young man's soul RIP. This is so tragic."

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@Therealfugaze said:

"Let them know no peace there in Ladysmith. We can't continue losing our people at the hands of these monsters."

@CZWETHEEMC added:

"This is a life we are talking about. A young life. We are not angry enough. We are not doing enough."

@zibusiso431 wrote:

"For how long are these killings going to continue? It's time for communities to stand up and fight for their people."

@Squirrel1980021 commented:

"Violence against citizens by illegal foreigners and foreigners in general is a huge problem in this country. We are being invaded, attacked, robbed and destroyed."

Not all reactions were sympathetic to the march movement.

@WillKapungu directed criticism at Ngobese-Zuma herself, writing:

"Take responsibility as a leader. You initiated chaos in Mzansi. If you live by the sword, you will die by the sword. Stop this nonsense."

Stories of other murders related anti-illegal immigration

• Andile Mvuyiselwa Somgaxa, March and March Gauteng leader, was shot at his Greenfield home on 3 July 2026.
• Siphiwe Thusini, a former MK Party member and anti-illegal immigration activist, was shot dead in KwaMashu.
• The family of slain KwaMashu activist Siphiwe Thusini has broken their silence following his brutal murder.

Source: Briefly News