1008684569__20260706__0 Facebook suspends Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma’s account over alleged policy breach.
Facebook has suspended the account of March and March Movement leader Jacinta Ngobese- Zuma, citing an alleged violation of its Community Standards on adult sexual solicitation.
The suspension, which took effect on Friday, means Ngobese-Zuma's account is no longer visible to other Facebook users and she cannot use it.
A notification sent to the activist informed her that she had 180 days to appeal the decision before her account would be permanently disabled.
Facebook said it could request additional information from her to assist in reviewing the suspension.
The notification stated that the decision was based on a finding that her account, or activity on it, did not comply with its rules on adult sexual solicitation.
The March and March Movement confirmed yesterday that its leader's Facebook page had been taken down.
According to a statement attributed to the movement's spokesperson, Sandile Dube, the organisation had become aware of the suspension and would continue communicating with supporters through its official March and March Facebook page.
The movement said Ngobese-Zuma would use the alternative platform to keep South Africans informed while the matter was being addressed.
In a statement issued yesterday, March and March said this development does not come as a surprise in the wake of the devastating local government election outcomes to the former ruling party (ANC), which is in turn a victory to ordinary South Africans.
“The government ruling elites are currently not in a jovial mood and probably view the movement as a primary reason and source for their loss due to its sharp and uncompromising stance on the migration issues, economic challenges, unemployment and a scourge on gender-based violence and femicide,” read the statement.
Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma’s Facebook account suspended over adult sexual solicitation rule.
Speaking at the IEC results centre at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre yesterday, Ngobese-Zuma said she was puzzled by the suspension of her account over alleged sexual content, insisting that she never discussed the subject.
“There is no way that is related to the banning of the account because I don't even talk about sex, like at all. Maybe I should have,” she said before bursting into laughter.
Her account's suspension follows that of another prominent March and March supporter, events promoter Yenziwe Qiniso Nzimande, who was also forced to switch to another account. Yesterday, social media was awash with speculation about the reasons behind Ngobese-Zuma's suspension, with some users suggesting it was part of an attempt to silence the anti-illegal migration movement.
Who is Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma?
Ngobese-Zuma is the founder and leader of March and March, a controversial anti-illegal immigration movement that has gained prominence through protests demanding stricter immigration enforcement and prioritisation of South African citizens.
In an interview with IOL in June, Ngobese-Zuma described herself as a former radio presenter, activist, wife, mother, law student and farmer.
The movement has been at the centre of several legal battles in recent months.
In October, the Durban High Court granted an interim order restricting March and March and its leaders from engaging in violent conduct, intimidation and other activities linked to protests. The order followed an urgent application by Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
The movement has also attracted attention following allegations of online threats against its leader.
In October, Ngobese-Zuma opened a police case after an alleged Facebook post called for her to be raped and killed. The South African Human Rights Commission and the ANC condemned the alleged remarks.
The suspension of her Facebook account comes amid heightened scrutiny of the movement and its activities.
Facebook has not publicly provided any additional explanation beyond the reason stated in the suspension notification.