Johannesburg – The widely reported crowning of a Nigerian as a king in South Africa has riled locals, prompting authorities to declare the move as “unilateral, irregular, illegitimate, and deeply disrespectful “.
The anti-foreigner angst was turned up a notch when reports made the rounds indicating that an individual, who is being portrayed as a “king”, was allegedly coronated by a group of community members reportedly originating from Nigeria.
This incident occurred in KuGompo, formerly known as East London, situated within the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province.
Responding to the reports on Friday, 20 March 2026, Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Reverend Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe, “strongly condemned the unlawful impersonation and purported coronation of an individual falsely presenting himself as a traditional leader”.
CoGTA said the unilateral and unlawful installation of an individual claiming kingship within the territorial jurisdiction of a recognised monarchy was irregular, illegitimate, and deeply disrespectful to the heritage, customs, and authority of the amaRharhabe Kingdom, as well as to the institution of traditional leadership.
The anomaly was exposed earlier this week by the African Transformation Movement (ATM), which expressed strong rejection and deep concern regarding the reported coronation of a Nigerian “king” under the title “Igwe Ndigbo Na East London” in the Eastern Cape.
“The installation of any king or chief is not a ceremonial act that can be conducted arbitrarily or imported from foreign tradition,” the ATM said in a statement released on Thursday, 19 March 2026.
“The notion that any foreign national or group, regardless of how long they have resided in South Africa, can unilaterally establish a ‘kingdom’ or install a traditional authority structure on South African soil is both unlawful and unacceptable.
“Traditional leadership is deeply rooted in the history, identity, and ancestral lineage of South African communities.
“It cannot be replicated, substituted, or superimposed by external actors.”
The ATM stated that it views this incident as a dangerous precedent that undermines not only the authority of legitimate traditional leaders but also the rule of law.
“It reflects a growing failure by the state to enforce existing legislation governing traditional leadership, immigration, and social cohesion,” the ATM said.
“We therefore call for urgent and decisive intervention by the relevant authorities.”
Commenting further on the matter, the Deputy Minister Reverend Burns-Ncamashe said such actions undermine constitutionally recognised traditional institutions and risk sowing division and instability within communities.
The deputy minister emphasised that such conduct is wholly inconsistent with South African law and democratic principles.
“This conduct is unconventional and unlawful, and it cannot be allowed to take root,” said Deputy Minister Burns-Ncamashe.
‘If left unaddressed, it risks undermining South Africa’s democratic gains, the rule of law, and the diplomatic frameworks governing relations between nations.”
In response to the incident, CoGTA said it has engaged the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to facilitate diplomatic engagement with the relevant authorities, including the High Commission of Nigeria, to ensure that the matter was addressed within the confines of the law and established international relations frameworks.
Deputy Minister Burns-Ncamashe also called on all South Africans to remain vigilant and to uphold the rule of law while defending the sovereignty of the Republic.
“While the matter is being handled through the appropriate legal and diplomatic channels, I urge all those involved to refrain from conduct that is inconsistent with our laws and diplomatic norms,” the deputy minister said.
“Such actions may lead to unintended consequences that we, as a country and a nation, seek to avoid.”
CoGTA reiterated its commitment to protecting the integrity of traditional leadership institutions and ensuring that all matters relating to customary leadership are handled lawfully, respectfully, and in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
