A protest has been staged in South Africa, with citizens taking to the streets against the installation of an Igbo king in the country.

Chief Solomon Ogbonna Eziko was allegedly crowned “Igwe Ndigbo Na East London” in KuGompo City, angering South Africans.

The protest is reported to have been organised by ActionSA, a political party established in 2020 by Herman Mashaba after leaving the Democratic Alliance.

Ourage erupted in South Africa’s Eastern Cape after traditional authorities strongly rejected the reported coronation of a Nigerian Igbo community monarch in East London, describing the move as illegal and capable of igniting communal tensions.

Speaking during a media briefing on Saturday, March 28, ActionSA’s parliamentary caucus leader, Athol Trollip, expressed outrage over the reported coronation, warning that it could spark tensions within the host community, according to Times Live.

"On Monday in [KuGompo City] there is going to be a march because some Nigerians in [KuGompo City] took it upon themselves to coronate a king and to say they are going to claim [KuGompo City] as the Igbo people in Nigeria. Lento iyasimangalisa [That is very shocking to us)," Trollip said.

Also weighing in, Chairperson of the Eastern Cape House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders, Nkosi Mpumalanga Gwadiso, condemned the reported coronation, describing it as unacceptable and unlawful.

He noted that the area where the incident reportedly occurred falls under the authority of the amaRharhabe kingdom, led by King Sandile.

Gwadiso warned that the action amounted to "a flagrant violation of established customary protocols and a direct affront to traditional leadership institutions and the country's constitutional and legislative framework."

"The house is particularly concerned that this reckless conduct carries the potential to inflame tensions and jeopardise social cohesion.

“Traditional leaders in this province and beyond have consistently stood against xenophobia, violence and division.

“However, actions of this nature are irresponsible and may provoke avoidable conflict if left unaddressed," he said.

See video below.

Igbo must go now in South Africa
Everywhere people are chasing them 😂😂😂
Bad characters are like smoke,It follows you everywhere pic.twitter.com/5xX4f0P0MK

— Ọgbeni Bosun (@yomiable) March 30, 2026