Tensions flare as EFF and Ngizwe Mchunu supporters clash in Inanda, north of Durban, as separate events involving Economic Freedom Fighters supporters and Ngizwe Mchunu’s followers take place in the same area.

The confrontation has heightened security concerns in the KwaZulu-Natal community, with police deployed to the area as both sides proceed with their respective programmes.

The EFF is holding its KwaZulu-Natal provincial manifesto launch at the JL Dube Stadium in Inanda, where party leader Julius Malema is expected to address supporters. At the same time, former Ukhozi FM presenter Ngizwe Mchunu is hosting the Bhinca Heritage and Maskandi Festival at the nearby Dube Village Sports Field.

The overlapping events have become a source of tension between the two groups.

According to reports, the confrontation began during preparations for the respective gatherings, with allegations of physical assaults and gunshots emerging from the earlier incident. Both sides have offered different accounts of what triggered the confrontation.

EFF and Ngizwe Mchunu supporters clash

The latest confrontation follows an earlier incident on Friday, 18 September, when EFF members and supporters of Mchunu became involved in a heated confrontation in Dube Village.

SABC News reported that Mchunu said a security officer fired an AK-47 into the air following the confrontation. The circumstances surrounding the reported shooting and the allegations made by the different parties remain subject to police investigation.

The EFF has alleged that Mchunu and people accompanying him interfered with preparations for its manifesto launch. ECR reported that EFF volunteers alleged that Mchunu and his bodyguards fired shots at them while they were preparing for the party’s event. Mchunu denied the allegations and said EFF members had provoked him and his supporters.

Police intervened to separate the groups.

The confrontation has raised concerns about security because the EFF’s planned route to the JL Dube Stadium passes through the area where Mchunu’s event is being held.

Rival events create tension in Inanda

The EFF’s provincial manifesto launch and Mchunu’s heritage event were scheduled to take place only a few kilometres apart.

The EFF says it is concerned about the safety of its supporters travelling to the manifesto launch and about the movement of party leaders through the area.

EFF spokesperson Mazwi Blose said the party believed Mchunu’s gathering could interfere with its programme. He also alleged that the event was intended to disrupt the EFF’s rally.

Those allegations have not been accepted by Mchunu.

Mchunu has denied that his event was organised to deliberately disrupt the EFF’s manifesto launch. He said his gathering was intended as a heritage and prayer-focused event rather than a political programme.

Speaking about the event, Mchunu said organisers had followed the necessary protocols with local authorities and that they had been informed that the venue was available.

He described the gathering as a low-risk event where people would come together to pray.

Mchunu denies deliberately provoking the EFF

Mchunu has rejected the suggestion that his event was planned specifically to undermine the EFF.

His position is that the two gatherings should be allowed to proceed without confrontation and that both groups should respect each other.

The disagreement over the purpose of the event has become one of the central issues in the dispute.

While the EFF maintains that the proximity of the two gatherings presents a security concern, Mchunu maintains that his event has its own purpose and should not be treated as an attempt to disrupt the political rally.

The competing claims illustrate the tension that has developed between Mchunu and the EFF in recent months.

However, allegations made by either side should be distinguished from facts established through an investigation.

Police deployed as tensions rise

A significant police presence has been deployed in Inanda amid concerns about further clashes.

The deployment comes after Friday’s confrontation, during which reports indicated that gunshots were heard and people were assaulted. Police intervention was required to restore order.

The security operation is aimed at preventing the situation from escalating as supporters attend the separate events.

The presence of large crowds, competing programmes and disagreements between the groups has increased the need for authorities to manage movement around the venues.

The EFF has called on the South African Police Service to protect its programme and ensure that supporters can attend the manifesto launch safely.

The party has also said it intends to proceed with its planned programme despite the confrontation.

EFF manifesto launch in Inanda

The EFF’s KwaZulu-Natal manifesto launch is an important event for the party ahead of South Africa’s local government elections scheduled for 4 November 2026.

Julius Malema is expected to deliver the keynote address at the JL Dube Stadium.

The launch provides the party with an opportunity to outline its programme and priorities for KwaZulu-Natal voters ahead of the municipal elections.

The political gathering is taking place against the backdrop of heightened political activity across South Africa as parties begin presenting their programmes to voters.

Other political parties are also preparing manifesto launches and campaign activities ahead of the November elections.

For residents of Inanda, however, the immediate concern has been maintaining peace and preventing the dispute between the two groups from developing into further violence.

Ngizwe Mchunu’s heritage event

Mchunu’s event is being presented as the Bhinca Heritage and Maskandi Festival.

The gathering is focused on heritage, music and cultural activities, according to Mchunu.

He has maintained that the event should not be characterised as a political gathering designed to challenge the EFF.

His comments have called for the two sides to avoid further confrontation.

The former radio presenter has also indicated that he intends to continue with the programme despite the dispute.

The disagreement over the events’ proximity has nevertheless created a difficult security environment, particularly because supporters of both groups are expected to move through the same surrounding areas.

Previous confrontations between the groups

The Inanda confrontation is not the first time supporters associated with Mchunu and the EFF have clashed around competing events.

Reports have documented tensions between the groups during previous political and cultural gatherings.

The latest dispute has been particularly sensitive because it comes shortly before the EFF’s provincial manifesto launch and follows allegations involving firearms and physical assaults.

The EFF has rejected suggestions that it should abandon its programme, while Mchunu has insisted that his event should proceed.

Authorities now face the task of keeping the two gatherings separate and preventing further incidents.

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Calls for calm

With both events taking place in the same broader area, calls for calm have become increasingly important.

The competing accounts from the EFF and Mchunu mean that allegations about who initiated the confrontation should not be treated as established fact until the relevant authorities complete their investigations.

The priority for law enforcement is to protect residents, event attendees and members of both groups while ensuring that lawful gatherings can take place peacefully.

The developments also highlight the importance of political and community events being managed through established safety and regulatory procedures.

As the EFF proceeds with its manifesto launch and Mchunu’s heritage event continues, residents and supporters are being urged to avoid confrontation.

The situation remains closely watched as police maintain a visible presence in Inanda.

For eKayNews readers, further updates will depend on statements from the police, organisers and other relevant authorities as more information becomes available.

References from mainstream media

1. SABC News – EFF and Ngizwe Mchunu supporters clash in Inanda — reports on the confrontation, the EFF manifesto launch and Mchunu’s nearby event. Read the SABC News report 
2. SABC News – EFF vows to proceed with KZN manifesto launch despite clashes — covers the Friday confrontation, police intervention and competing claims from the EFF and Mchunu. Read the SABC News report 
3. eNCA – Parties campaign in KwaZulu-Natal — reports on political campaigning in eThekwini and the clashes between EFF and Mchunu supporters ahead of the rival events. Read the eNCA report 
4. Daily Sun / SNL24 – Fists fly as Ngizwe and EFF supporters clash! — covers the reported clashes, gunshots, competing events and statements from both sides. Read the SNL24 report

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