Legal expert, Elton Hart, says allowing the recognition of a Nigerian King in East London will create a parallel structure that falls outside South Africa’s constitutional framework.
A viral video showing the crowning of a figure identified as Igwe Ndigbo Na East London, Chief Solomon Ogbonna Eziko, has triggered widespread reaction across social media.
Hart argues that the king is not recognised in terms of the country’s constitution.
“So that means not recognising this king simply means we are enforcing our constitutional rules, which is the Supreme law of South Africa.
“According to the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act, 2019 (Act 3 of 2019), you need to be a local community that occupies a specific geographic location in South Africa, and you can prove your ties to that land.”
Hart adds that, in this case, there are no such cultural or ancestral links.
Meanwhile, the African Transformation Movement (ATM) has called on the provincial government and ministers, Leon Shreiber and Velenkosini Hlabisa, to investigate.
“The Premier of the Eastern Cape, Oscar Mabuyane, must immediately institute a full provincial investigation into this matter,” he said. “The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, must urgently investigate the immigration status and activities of those involved, and determine whether any laws have been violated, including possible misrepresentation or abuse of cultural status.”
Ntshona added that the installation of any king or chief is not a ceremonial act that can be conducted arbitrarily or imported from foreign tradition.
“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.”
Meet Eastern Cape, East London’s new King, Chief Solomon Ogbonna Eziko. pic.twitter.com/cSKu1a7VVD
— Bongekile Mthembu🇿🇦 (@_Bongekile_) March 18, 2026
Apparently the soon to be installed Igbo Nigerian king of East London owns properties there. Is Apparently also married to married to South African Xhosa woman 🤮🤬🚮
I read some few comments on that post… iyooh sana Eastern Cape needs patriotic saviors! pic.twitter.com/Ksm6blbC6R— Kwena Molekwa (@Miz_Ruraltarain) March 17, 2026
The Xhosa people are on the verge of losing their kingdom, as a new Nigerian king has been installed to rule in East London, Eastern Cape, within the Xhosa tribe. @ZungulaVuyo @MbalulaFikile @MabuyaneOscar @HomeAffairsSA pic.twitter.com/zK5QvxBIRg
— PutSouthAfricansFirst 🇿🇦 (@JeffDumisani) March 18, 2026
The so called installation of the King of East London by Nigerian Igwe is an insult to our country and our Royal Leadership institutions. pic.twitter.com/WjF2I21uLP
— MK Party Stan (@XFactor079) March 19, 2026
Chief Solomon Ogbonna Eziko has been crowned “Igwe Ndigbo” in East London, marking 30 years of Nigerian presence in the Eastern Cape.
While some celebrate it as cultural pride, Question is would South Africans be allowed to establish their own traditional leadership titles in… pic.twitter.com/ZiNFv3sg5N
— Setadi (@Setadi_) March 17, 2026
There is this uproar about a Nigeria King/Chief that was coronated KuGompo (East London), Igwe of East London is what people are claiming his title is. I don’t understand where is the issue, why are people marching for that, what next march against @GodPenuel for saying he is God
— Bhomoyi 🇿🇦 (@Bhomoyi_) March 19, 2026
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