According to a report by YEN published on Thursday, July 9, 2026, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, leader of South Africa’s anti-immigrant March and March movement, has sparked widespread debate after publicly endorsing a planned nationwide shutdown in Zimbabwe scheduled for July 31.
Ngobese-Zuma shared a protest poster on her Facebook page on July 8, encouraging Zimbabweans to participate in the demonstration by staying away from work, school, and business activities.
Accompanying the poster was the message, “Zimbabweans, the time is now,” as she urged citizens to unite behind the planned action.
The proposed shutdown is linked to Zimbabwean grassroots activist Madzibaba Weshanduko, born Godfrey Karembera, who has been mobilising nationwide protests under the hashtag #ZimbabweRising.
The proposed shutdown is linked to Zimbabwean grassroots activist Madzibaba Weshanduko, born Godfrey Karembera, who has been mobilising nationwide protests under the hashtag #ZimbabweRising.
Karembera has reportedly been arrested several times due to his activism, with opposition leaders and civil society organisations claiming the detentions are part of a broader crackdown on dissent.
The planned demonstrations also come amid heightened political tensions following the passage of Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, which has been strongly opposed by political figures including Tendai Biti and Lovemore Madhuku, both of whom have pledged to resist the legislation through public protests.
Despite receiving praise from some South African supporters who viewed her endorsement as a sign of growing continental solidarity, many Zimbabweans rejected claims that Ngobese-Zuma had inspired their protest movement.
Despite receiving praise from some South African supporters who viewed her endorsement as a sign of growing continental solidarity, many Zimbabweans rejected claims that Ngobese-Zuma had inspired their protest movement.
Social media users argued that Zimbabwe has a long history of civic demonstrations dating back decades, including attempts to march on the State House during the administration of former President Robert Mugabe in 2002.
Several commenters also expressed concern about the potential risks facing protesters, noting that Zimbabwean security forces have often responded more aggressively to demonstrations than their South African counterparts.
Several commenters also expressed concern about the potential risks facing protesters, noting that Zimbabwean security forces have often responded more aggressively to demonstrations than their South African counterparts.
As of the time of publication, Zimbabwean authorities had not issued an official statement regarding the planned July 31 shutdown, while organisers were yet to announce the final protest locations.
The latest controversy follows Ngobese-Zuma’s recent High Court victory against the South African government, where she obtained interim relief after being removed from the National Dialogue steering committee.
The latest controversy follows Ngobese-Zuma’s recent High Court victory against the South African government, where she obtained interim relief after being removed from the National Dialogue steering committee.
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