The unrest occurred in East London, a coastal city in the Eastern Cape, where groups of protesters gathered to oppose the coronation of Solomon Ogbonna Ezike as the leader of the Igbo community living in the region.

According to reports, the protest quickly turned violent as demonstrators set several vehicles on fire and targeted buildings allegedly linked to foreign nationals. Emergency services and firefighters were called to the scene as flames engulfed parked panel vans, trucks, and other vehicles.

Police officers were deployed to restore order and used crowd-control measures, including stun grenades, to disperse protesters as tensions escalated.

The installation of Ezike as “Igwe Ndigbo,” a traditional title used to represent Igbo communities outside Nigeria, has sparked strong opposition from some South African groups. Critics argue that recognising a foreign traditional ruler within South Africa undermines local traditional leadership structures and raises concerns about sovereignty.