Tensions flare in KuGompo over Nigerian king recognition

Residents of KuGompo, formerly known as East London, are up in arms over the installation of Nigerian national Solomon Ogbonna Eziko, who was reportedly crowned King Igwe Na Ndigbo Na East London without formal recognition from South African authorities.

Community members have questioned the legitimacy of the title, raising concerns about what they describe as a parallel traditional structure within the city.

Tensions flared in KuGompo on Monday as protests erupted, with several vehicles and buildings reportedly torched as demonstrations turned violent. Police were deployed to the area after clashes broke out between protesters and law enforcement.

ActionSA and civic movement, March and March led today’s protests.

ActionSA caucus leader, Athol Trollip, says the party will not accept the installation of a Nigerian King.

“So this has got nothing to do with xenophobia. What has happened here is that a group of Nigerian people have coronated a king in the Eastern Cape and they’ve said that they’re going to establish a homeland in the Eastern Cape.

“Now we’re very clear as ActionSA that we respect the kings that are existing in this province and we know that we have a legacy of two homelands,” he said. “We are not going to entertain a foreigner coming into this country to establish another homeland.”

Residents say the issue of illegal immigrants in the province is getting out of hand.

“They are here illegally, and they are doing nonsensical things. We are saying it’s more than enough now, and the law enforcement needs to work harder hand in hand with us to verify the status of these people.”

It is reported that some shops were looted during the protests, while more boots have been deployed to monitor the unrest.

I think it’s illiteracy that’s prompting this protest, immigration laws all over the world allows foreigners to own shops and invest with proper documentation and the rest.

— Moses Chuks-Agu (@CMoseschuks) March 30, 2026

I’m glad local communities are actively pushing back against perceived illegal or foreign interventions in traditional leadership.

— Galaxy (@Galaxy_Keyboard) March 30, 2026

I hope the State will take actoon against you for inciting violence and looting businesses. https://t.co/3sTu1FZGGO pic.twitter.com/iNvNQh6hzt

— Msunu ka Johann Rupert (@ZizinjaAbelungu) March 30, 2026

This March at KuGompo/East London started off as a peaceful march, what did they think was going to happen after they stabbed a concerned citizen? Nigerians literally attacked first, Now This is retaliation and it’s ugly 🫩😩 pic.twitter.com/NGLxtjjSZ9

— Luhle (@Luhlelo22) March 30, 2026