KUGOMPO CITY, Eastern Cape – A crowd of about 5 000 disgruntled Buffalo City residents attended a peaceful protest march against drugs and undocumented foreign nationals in KuGompo City, formerly East London, on Friday, 10 April.
Buffalo City Metro (BCM) executive mayor, Princess Faku, was at the forefront leading the strong crowd to a nearby tavern known as California situated in Park Street, North End demanding permanent closure of the tavern, notorious for criminal activities.
The Belgrave Hotel building is owned by businessman Ayanda Gqamane and houses a mix of rental and accommodation units, including the California tavern.
KuGompo City residents have been calling for the permanent closure of California, notorious for criminal activities which the residents claim was due to drugs allegedly sold by foreign nationals, particularly Nigerians renting units in the area.
The crowd first gathered at the Jan Smuts Stadium for the People’s Imbizo where they were addressed by Faku and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Deputy Minister Zolile Burns-Ncamashe before proceeding to California.
The purpose of the imbizo was to address community concerns on crime, selling of drugs, undocumented foreign nationals, unregistered businesses and the closure of California among others.
Addressing the crowd, Faku urged residents of Buffalo City to stand united against crime, lawlessness and foreign nationals who are selling drugs to the youth.
“Working together with the police, the Department of Home Affairs, and civil society organisations, the Metro is committed to intensifying efforts to dismantle criminal networks, shut down drug dens, and enforce municipal by-laws,” said Faku.
Speaking to the media, Belgrave Hotel owner Ayanda Gqamane’s wife, Nomfundo, distanced themselves from any criminal activity in the area, adding that her rental property was not linked to California.
The alleged coronation of Nigerian national Chief Solomon Ogbonna Eziko as “Igwe Ndigbo” (King of the Igbo people) in KuGompo City recently caused violent protests where 12 cars were torched, and shops belonging to foreign nationals were looted.
Eziko has since apologised and denied that he was crowned king.
