South African police have established a special multidisciplinary task team to investigate the fatal shooting of Andile Mvuyelwa Somgxada, the Gauteng provincial leader of the anti-migrant movement March and March. Police confirmed that Somgxada was shot outside his home east of Johannesburg earlier this month. He later died in hospital from his injuries, prompting authorities to launch a high-level investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack. Acting National Police Commissioner Lt. Gen. Puleng Dimpane said the creation of a dedicated investigative team reflects the seriousness of the case.
“We are committed to conducting a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding this murder and to ensure accountability,” Dimpane said in a statement. March and March spokesperson Sandile Dube alleged that the killing was linked to the group’s campaign against undocumented migration in South Africa. Speaking to the BBC, Dube claimed the shooting was an act of retaliation and described it as a suspected targeted assassination. He also said several leaders of the organization had recently received threats and warnings because of their activism.
The March and March movement has organized demonstrations in several parts of South Africa, calling for stricter immigration enforcement and the removal of undocumented migrants. Its campaigns have generated both public support and criticism, with opponents accusing the group of fueling anti-immigrant sentiment. Police have not confirmed a motive for the killing and say investigations are ongoing. Authorities have appealed to anyone with information that could assist the investigation to come forward. The case comes amid heightened tensions over immigration in South Africa, where concerns about unemployment, crime and public services have fueled recurring debates over undocumented migration and sporadic outbreaks of xenophobic violence.
