Strike over Nigerian ‘king’ turns violent

The protest turned violent. (Photo: X)

The police in KuGompo City (East London) have their hands full after a planned strike turned violent on Monday.

There is currently unhappiness among traditional leaders and political parties including ActionSA after a Nigerian man is believed to have been crowned king. Chief Solomon Ogbonna Eziko is said to have recently been crowned “Igwe Ndigbo” of KuGompo City.

Brig. Nobuntu Gantana, spokesperson for the police in the Eastern Cape, says that initially the protest was peaceful.

However, violence later broke out when some of the protesters moved away from the town hall where a petition was handed over.

Ten vehicles have since been damaged and a building in North End has been set on fire. The building only partially burned. “Firefighters were able to arrive in time to extinguish the fire,” says Gantana.

No injuries have been reported so far. By late Monday afternoon, no arrests had been made either.

Meanwhile, the unrest continues. Gantana said in the late afternoon that Albany, Buffalo and Oxford streets are currently the most affected. “The public is requested to be careful in these areas.”

The police’s public order unit is on the scene to monitor the situation.

(UPDATE) Confirmed figures of damaged vehicles is 10 with one partially torched building in North End. Fire fighters arrived in time to extinguish the fire.

Thus far, no arrests have been made. Public Order Police are monitoring the affected areas.

Albany, Buffalo and Oxford… https://t.co/dPjf5AeBEo pic.twitter.com/BmgOIlqNpL

— Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (@CrimeWatch_RSA) March 30, 2026

East London – March event turns violent.
AVOID travel through the CBD / central area pic.twitter.com/y4WF6kiM0Y

— TrafficSA (@TrafficSA) March 30, 2026

Photos https://t.co/0M4P7phIxU pic.twitter.com/BLCm5yBzZr

— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) March 30, 2026