JOHANNESBURG - Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, founder and leader of the anti-illegal immigration group March and March, has publicly stated that President Cyril Ramaphosa has failed to respond to multiple requests for a meeting with her organisation, even as he engaged with other activists from the broader movement.
Ngobese-Zuma distanced herself from a high-level meeting held on or around 29 June 2026 between Ramaphosa and activists Ngizwe Mchunu and Nkosikhona Ndabandaba (known as Phakel’umthakathi).
She said she had no prior knowledge of the engagement and only learned of it through social media reports and posts.
In interviews and statements, Ngobese-Zuma confirmed that associates from the movement had met the president but emphasised she was not consulted, briefed, or invited.
“We’ve sent several requests to meet with the president. He hasn’t responded to any of them,” she said. The comments come amid heightened tensions over illegal immigration.
March and March had called for undocumented foreigners to self-deport by 30 June 2026, with protests and marches taking place in parts of Gauteng and elsewhere.
Ramaphosa has repeatedly warned against vigilantism, stressing that only authorised state officials may enforce immigration laws.
Ngobese-Zuma has been a vocal critic of the government’s handling of immigration, arguing that Ramaphosa’s positions do not reflect ground realities, including porous borders and limited enforcement capacity.
She has previously questioned the president’s understanding of the crisis, claiming he was not properly briefed on conditions at borders and in affected communities.
The apparent sidelining of Ngobese-Zuma has sparked speculation online and in media about possible divisions within anti-immigration activist circles, with some suggesting strategic or political motivations behind whom the presidency chooses to engage.
Neither the Presidency nor March and March immediately responded to requests for further comment on the status of any formal dialogue.
Phakel’umthakathi and Ngizwe Mchunu did not publicly disclose what was discussed with Ramaphosa but were expected to hold a media briefing, today, 1 July 2026 to update on the meeting and the 30 June deadline.