By Gabriel Manyati
The South African Police Service has launched a high-level investigation into the assassination of March and March Gauteng leader Andile Mvuyiselwa Somgaxa, as authorities warn that violence and intimidation linked to anti-foreigner sentiments will not be tolerated.
Acting National Commissioner of SAPS Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, working with Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, has appointed a multi-disciplinary team comprising experienced detectives and crime intelligence officers to investigate the killing.
Somgaxa was gunned down in the driveway of his home in Greenfield, Johannesburg, on 4 July 2026. He later died from his injuries in hospital on 9 July 2026.
The murder has triggered a major response from law enforcement, with SAPS signalling that it is treating the case as a priority and will deploy specialised resources to uncover the circumstances surrounding the killing.
Dimpane condemned the attack and assured the public that investigators would pursue those responsible.
“The appointment of a multi-disciplinary team underscores the seriousness with which SAPS is treating this matter. We are committed to conducting a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding this murder and to ensure accountability,” said Dimpane.
The investigation comes amid growing concerns over incidents involving intimidation and harassment of foreign nationals by groups claiming to be enforcing immigration laws.
Lieutenant General Mthombeni has warned individuals and organisations involved in such activities that South Africa’s immigration laws can only be enforced by authorised state institutions.
His warning follows the arrest of five suspects in Lephalale, Limpopo, who allegedly impersonated officials from the Department of Home Affairs while demanding the removal of foreign nationals from Marapong township.
The suspects allegedly targeted a Nigerian business owner, intimidating him and forcing him to shut down his business on the claim that foreign nationals were not allowed to operate businesses in South Africa.
However, after an official verification process, the Department of Home Affairs confirmed that the businessman was legally in the country and possessed valid documentation allowing him to operate his business.
Dimpane said no private group or individual had the legal authority to conduct immigration inspections or determine who was allowed to remain in South Africa.
“The law applies equally to everyone. No individual or group has the authority to conduct immigration inspections, verify legal status, or remove people from communities. Those responsibilities rest solely with law enforcement agencies and relevant government departments,” said Dimpane.
The SAPS intervention highlights the growing challenge facing South Africa as communities grapple with concerns around undocumented migration, crime and economic competition, while authorities attempt to prevent these frustrations from escalating into unlawful acts, intimidation or violence.
Police have urged members of the public with information that could assist the investigation into Somgaxa’s murder to come forward.
The killing of the March and March leader and the subsequent crackdown on alleged vigilante activities underline the government’s position that public concerns about immigration must be addressed through lawful processes rather than mob action.
