Rifts Deepen in SA Anti-Immigrant Campaign as R3m Bribe Claims, Public Feud Rock Leadership

By Agencies

DURBAN – Tensions inside South Africa’s anti-illegal immigration movement escalated Monday as fresh allegations of a R3 million bribe collided with a widening public feud between key figures.

Labour and Civic Organisation (LACO) president Mlungisi Manciza stood by claims that Nkosikhona “Phakel’umthakathi” Ndabandaba and Ngizwe Mchunu accepted payments linked to their 29 June meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Manciza said the alleged deal, reportedly arranged through a presidential intermediary, had undermined the movement and left supporters disillusioned.“

We started with a common goal. What happened after that meeting we don’t know about cannot be right,” Manciza said Monday, calling on the pair to “come forward and account.”

He stressed the campaign should focus on illegal immigration, not personal gain.

Phakel’umthakathi rejected the accusations, calling them “lies that have short legs” and saying the truth would “soon be exposed.”

He maintains the Ramaphosa meeting centered on assurances of peaceful protests.

The bribe claims land amid a separate public spat between Phakel’umthakathi and March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma.

At the weekend, Ngobese-Zuma attacked Phakel’umthakathi for sharing a social media post critical of March and March leadership, written by a user calling themselves EzaseWollies, who has marched with anti-immigrant groups.

“Why would someone share something like this, if not to support it?” Ngobese-Zuma wrote.

Phakel’umthakathi responded: “Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, I’ve never replied to you, or any of your comments negatively in public. Please remember that. I am capable of doing that, but I don’t because I am not in competition with you in any way. I love and respect you as a sister.”

The exchange triggered backlash from Ngobese-Zuma supporters, who rallied to her defense and criticized Phakel’umthakathi.

Some marchers said they had previously been reluctant to challenge him due to his militancy and heavy-handed tactics, including using a sjambok on participants.

Phakel’umthakathi has also faced criticism from women in the movement.

He has said women “must not move together with men during the marches” and that they “have no duty to demonstrate but must be protected by men.”

Some marchers also object to his use of “I” instead of “we” when discussing the movement, saying he personalizes the campaign.

The latest disputes compound earlier friction after Ngobese-Zuma distanced herself from the 29 June presidential meeting.

She said she was not consulted, had no prior knowledge of the engagement, and only learned about it through social media. Her absence fueled speculation of rifts.

Phakel’umthakathi has denied any lasting fallout with Ngobese-Zuma and said he “cannot be bought,” while affirming support for her efforts.

Still, the combination of bribe claims and exclusion tensions has amplified perceptions of disunity.

Social media reaction Monday remained divided.

Supporters praised Manciza for speaking out, while others accused him of sowing division without proof.

Calls for unity and evidence have grown as the movement risks losing momentum.

Neither the Presidency nor the alleged intermediary has responded publicly to the bribery claims, which remain unverified.

No formal investigations have been announced.

The public spats come as anti-immigration protests continue to focus on borders, jobs, and service delivery, even as leadership disputes threaten to overshadow the core issues.