“No Arrest Warrants!” NPA and SAPS Respond to Claims Against Xolani and Jacinta Zuma

CRIME & POLITICS | OFFICIAL STATEMENT "No Warrants Issued": NPA Categorically Deni...

CRIME & POLITICS | OFFICIAL STATEMENT

"No Warrants Issued": NPA Categorically Denies Looming Arrests of Xolani Zuma and Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma

Written By: Legal & Politics Desk | Published: October 15, 2026 | 4 min read

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has strongly rebuffed claims that it is actively pursuing the arrests of SA First Forum CEO Xolani Zuma and his wife, March and March Movement leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma. The official denial comes just 24 hours after the couple publicly announced they were preparing to surrender to police over rumored warrants.

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT: The NPA has dismissed rumors of impending arrests for the Zumas as "unfounded allegations," cautioning against narratives that undermine the criminal justice process.

Despite the NPA's firm media statement rejecting any political interference or the existence of the warrants, the South African public remains deeply divided. Social media has erupted with fierce skepticism, with many political commentators and citizens accusing the state of testing the waters or attempting to cover its tracks amid mounting public pressure.

NPA Statement Backlash Origins Editorial

The NPA Pushes Back

On Thursday morning, the NPA, through National Spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago, released a formal media statement addressing the rapidly spreading rumors. The authority took aim at the statement originally issued by the March and March Movement.

"The NPA wishes to categorically deny that any warrant of arrest was issued, and that it does not receive instructions from political parties, holders of public office, or anyone else on its prosecutorial function... The NPA encourages people and organisations to desist from making unfounded allegations or comments which may serve to misrepresent and undermine the criminal justice process."

— Kaizer Kganyago, NPA National Spokesperson

Operational Secrecy The NPA added a caveat that, as a general principle, it does not normally comment on matters of operations—such as possible arrests and investigations—before the law enforcement process is completed.

A Deficit of Trust

Rather than quelling the unrest, the NPA's statement was met with a barrage of skepticism across social media. Many South Africans view the prosecuting authority through a highly politicized lens, casting doubt on the absolute nature of the denial.

The Public Verdict

"Testing the Waters"

User @MasondoLB theorized a strategic motive: "They were testing public reaction before making their next move against Jacinta. Now they know what to expect. We must remain vigilant..."

The Wait-and-See Approach

Users like @Bongani_SP noted procedural patterns: "This statement normally comes before an actual arrest warrant is effected." Similarly, @ignis_fatui added: "Bookmarking this for when you guys arrest the Zumas in the next week or so."

Direct Distrust of Leadership

@doKHUments directly challenged the spokesperson: "NPA, I'm sure you don't expect us to take your statements as gospel... Especially Kaizer, who boldly told the public the NPA had a strong case against Lieutenant General Khumalo, which was a lie."

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT: The NPA has dismissed rumors of impending arrests for the Zumas as "unfounded allegations," cautioning against narratives that undermine the criminal justice process.

How It Started

The saga ignited on Wednesday, October 14, when Xolani Zuma took to Facebook claiming the couple had received intelligence that warrants had been authorized against them. He publicly declared their readiness to surrender peacefully, forcing the NPA's hand to respond.

The Addington Primary Protests Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma's legal vulnerability stems from January 2026, when she handed herself over to Durban police following controversial protests outside Addington Primary School, where demonstrators demanded priority for South African children over foreign nationals.

Ntsiki Mazwai's Demands The pressure was amplified by cultural commentator Ntsiki Mazwai, who took to social media to loudly demand Ngobese-Zuma's arrest for "inciting violence"—a move supporters claimed was merely for social media clout.

Mzansi Extreme Political Analysis

A Masterclass in Preemptive PR:
Regardless of whether the arrest warrants were actually sitting on a prosecutor's desk, Xolani Zuma's preemptive Facebook post was a brilliant strategic maneuver. By publicly announcing their willingness to surrender before any police action took place, the Zumas seized control of the narrative, successfully painting themselves as transparent, cooperative victims of potential state overreach.

The NPA's Crisis of Credibility:
The NPA's statement, while legally sound, highlights a severe institutional crisis: the South African public largely no longer believes them. Years of high-profile political acquittals, delayed prosecutions, and perceived weaponization have eroded the authority's credibility. When a government institution explicitly denies a political rumor, a large segment of the population automatically assumes the opposite is true.

A Temporary Ceasefire:
For now, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma and Xolani Zuma remain free, and the NPA has boxed itself into a corner. Should the NPA proceed with arrests in the near future regarding the January Addington Primary School protests, the public will view this week's denial as a deliberate lie, further damaging Kaizer Kganyago’s and the institution’s standing. The Zumas have effectively forced the state into a temporary, highly publicized stalemate.