{
  "id": 15155343,
  "title": "Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma compares government to apartheid regime",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/jacinta-ngobese-zuma-compares-government-to-apartheid-regime",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-17T08:16:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/news/politics/2026-10-17-jacinta-ngobese-zuma-compares-government-to-apartheid-regime/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, leader of March and March, has criticized the South African government for using strict laws against citizens protesting against illegal immigration, drawing a comparison to the apartheid regime. Ngobese-Zuma explained that her understanding of apartheid's harshness has deepened over time, prompting her to recognize the potential for legislation to target individuals deemed threats to power. She made these remarks amid the Department of Home Affairs' defense of South Africa's asylum and refugee system, dismissing claims that asylum seekers and refugees are exempt from adhering to the country's laws. The department reiterated that asylum seekers and refugees must comply with South African laws, maintain proper documentation, and cooperate with lawful administrative procedures. They also clarified that asylum applications are evaluated under South African law and international refugee protection standards, with rejected applicants still obligated to follow immigration laws once their claim is finalized. Ngobese-Zuma accused the post-apartheid government of failing to address citizens' concerns, such as immigration, crime, and socio-economic conditions. She accused certain media outlets and those who disagreed with the movement of downplaying the issues raised by protesters. Ngobese-Zuma alleged that the government claimed a lack of resources to tackle illegal immigration and crimes by foreign nationals but could still deploy resources to restrict demonstrations and enforce laws against protesters. Her claims regarding government priorities and the treatment of foreign nationals have not been independently verified. In her appeal to President Cyril Ramaphosa, Ngobese-Zuma urged him to listen to the demands of South African citizens and to prioritize their concerns over the nation's international image.",
  "summary": "March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma has compared South Africa’s post-apartheid government to the former regime, accusing it of silencing citizens who raise concerns about illegal immigration.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}