The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has denied that arrest warrants were issued for March and March Movement leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma and her husband, Xolani Zuma.
The NPA made the denial in a statement. It came after Xolani Zuma announced that he had received information about the warrants. The movement is based in KwaZulu-Natal.
“The NPA wishes to categorically deny that any warrant of arrest was issued,” the authority said.
The NPA said its decisions to prosecute are independent. It said they are not influenced by political parties, people in public office or any other person.
According to the authority, its decisions are guided by the Constitution, the law and the evidence available.
“As a general principle, the NPA does not normally make comments on matters of operations such as possible arrests and investigations before the law enforcement process involved is completed,” NPA national spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said.
The NPA said that once a case is enrolled in court, the charges and the reasons for prosecution become known through the court process.
It asked people and organisations not to make unfounded claims. The authority said such claims could misrepresent or weaken the criminal justice system.
“The NPA remains dedicated to discharging its functions without fear, favour or prejudice,” it said.
Xolani Zuma had said the reported warrants were linked to the movement’s activities. These include campaigning against undocumented immigration in South Africa.
He did not say which activities were linked to the warrants. He also questioned whether the information was true. He said the movement’s team was working to find out the facts.
At the time of his statement, nobody had independently confirmed that the warrants existed.
Zuma said he and Ngobese-Zuma were ready to face the authorities if the information turned out to be true.
“I do not believe that it is true, but to the extent that it is, we are available to hand ourselves over to the Police today,” he said.
Some supporters of the movement responded by backing its leaders. They said they would carry on with the campaign.
“If being South African is a crime then asiboshwe. Until we win,” supporter Sizwesethu Ndlangisa said.
Another supporter, Nkulumane Tribe, said the reported warrants could be an attempt to stop peaceful protest.
“If this is an attempt to silence peaceful protest, it is a reckless abuse of power and yet another reason to vote this government out. Sebephelelwe amacebo (They have run out of ideas),” Tribe said.
Zuma asked members to stay calm while the movement checked the claims.
“Our team is investigating the veracity of the information, and we request all the members of March and March Movement to remain calm during this period, we still call for peaceful solutions to our domestic problems,” he said.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL. Image: IOL. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice News desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Kgomotso Maake covers news and politics for Tzaneen Voice. Kgomotso reports on government, Parliament, municipalities, courts, crime and service delivery across South Africa, with a close eye on how national decisions reach towns like Tzaneen and the wider Limpopo province. Stories are written in plain English and focus on the facts: who made the decision, what it means, and what happens next.