Several vehicles were set ablaze in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province on Monday as protests turned violent over claims of an alleged Igbo traditional ruler coronation.
The unrest, which erupted in parts of East London, was reportedly led by members of ActionSA, who described the purported coronation of Solomon Eziko as a violation of constitutional and traditional authority structures.
Protesters marched through communities, torching vehicles and targeting properties believed to belong to foreign nationals, while some incidents degenerated into looting.
In one case, a local butchery was attacked and goods carted away, according to local media reports.
Athol Trollip, ActionSA’s Eastern Cape chairman, said the party supports recognised traditional authorities and insisted due process must be followed in matters of kingship.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) also weighed in, stating that only the government, through the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), can recognise traditional rulers under the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act of 2019.
“In order for an individual to be recognised as a royal or traditional authority in South Africa, the Minister for COGTA must make recommendations to the President of the Republic of South Africa, who subsequently utilises the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act of 2019 to formally recognise a king or a queen,” the group stated.
The party added that it is illegal for anyone to declare kingship outside these processes and criticised the alleged development.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s High Commission in South Africa has denied that any Igbo traditional ruler was crowned.
In a statement, the mission said the event in question was merely a cultural gathering.
“The High Commission wishes to state, unequivocally, that, contrary to the narrative in the public domain, no coronation took place and none intended,” it stated.
It explained that the gathering was part of cultural expressions common among Igbo communities and had no political or territorial implications.
According to the Commission, “The event in East London has no territorial ambition, political authority or agenda within the host communities, but is rather a symbolic affirmation of identity and pride in cultural heritage.”
The commission called for calm and urged respect for South Africa’s laws and institutions amid ongoing tensions.
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