Nigerian Embassy distances itself from KuGompo “king” saga

The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Pretoria has distanced itself from the controversial crowning of Solomon Ogbonna Eziko as the “Igwe Ndigbo” of KuGompo in the Eastern Cape, a move that has drawn criticism from some community members and traditional leaders.

The backlash comes amid calls for urgent intervention, following a picket by anti-immigrant groups and ActionSA outside the embassy’s offices in Arcadia on Tuesday.

Under mounting pressure, the embassy said it does not support any actions that may cause tension and has apologised for the recent installation of the so-called Nigerian king on South African soil.

Deputy High Commissioner Olajide Ogunmadeji, speaking on behalf of Acting High Commissioner Ambassador Alexander Ajayi, said the embassy has already engaged with the AmaRharhabe royal house, with an in-person meeting scheduled to resolve the matter.

“The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the High Commission here, does not support any irresponsibility so please I am on behalf of the commissioner, the embassy, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, am tendering our apology to the traditional institutions of South Africa. Please this is not who we are,” Ogunmadej said.

He added that Nigeria remains committed to respecting South Africa’s laws and institutions and does not support any illegal activities or violations of local regulations.

Protests and growing tensions

Despite the apology, some protestors say it is not enough.

Videos and images circulating on social media have sparked outrage among some South Africans and traditional leaders, with critics arguing that the move undermines the country’s traditional leadership structures.

The group says it is unacceptable for a foreign national to assume a traditional leadership role on South African soil.

One supporter, who chairs a residents’ organisation in Midrand, Bonginkosi Nhlapho, says the embassy must play a more active role in ensuring compliance with the law.

“The Embassy needs to be active in bringing law and order in our country. It cannot just be a decoration and people coming here and living large while getting all the benefits of being ambassadors and adding no value,” Nhlapho said.

Deputy president of the Abahambe National Civic Movement, Mick Mavundla, has called on government to take decisive action.

“We are struggling in South Africa with drugs that are brought by Nigerians. It’s a fact. Our children have been turned into zombies. You would have seen in the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, drugs which have been confiscated that came from Nigeria and other countries. Those drugs that are being fed to our children, destroying the future of this country, we are not going to allow it. We will mobilise South Africans in all nine province to ensure that we stand up and defend this country,” Mavundla said.

Meanwhile, ActionSA Tshwane chairperson Derick Mahlangu described the alleged crowning as a disregard for South Africa’s laws and customs.

He says the party believes the unrest in the area reflects growing frustration within communities.

“We have kings who need to be coronated in this soil. That violence, it was merely a defense from South Africa to say we are South Africans and we recognise our cultures and our languages which are 11 plus sign language. Who is this one now? So I think it is really disrespect to this country and we have to defend this,” Mahlangu said.

The party’s regional councillor, Kobus Coetzee, called for clarity on how a foreign national could assume a traditional leadership role.

“We cannot just allow anybody to come in to the country especially not illegal immigrants. We want them to tell us where does he come from. We will also involve Home Affairs. What is he doing in this country? We are not breaking anymore of our communities with illegal immigrants and them coming as kings or so called kings in this country. This is a no go! We will not allow it in the Eastern Cape! We will not allow it in Gauteng! And we will not allow it in South Africa,” Coetzee added.

Calls for accountability and intervention

Civil society groups have also weighed in, calling for transparency and accountability.

The Progressive Forces of South Africa said it represents concerned citizens seeking respect for local governance structures and peaceful coexistence.

Member Bonang Sepoloane rejected the embassy’s attempt to distance itself from the issue.

“The cannot distance themselves from their own citizen. The purpose of the the picket is for the Nigerian Embassy as a representative of the Nigerian Government to account. So different civic movements in Pretoria decided to come together and say to the Nigerian Embassy that the Xhosa people and Zulu people are not alone, us also in Gauteng we are together with them from different tribes, we are united with them and we expect the embassy to tell their people to stop the criminality,” Sepoloane said.

Deputy president of the Abahambe National Civic Movement, Mick Mavundla, called on government to take decisive action, linking the issue to broader concerns about crime and social stability.

Unrest and traditional leadership response

The unrest in KuGompo turned violent on Monday, with at least 10 vehicles torched, shops looted, and roads barricaded.

Local traditional leaders, including Prince Xhanti Sigcawu, have condemned the installation, describing it as a violation of the authority of the AmaRharhabe Kingdom.

Sigcawu has urged government to intervene, arguing that foreign nationals should not establish parallel traditional leadership structures in South Africa.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao