The confrontations involved physical scuffles, verbal exchanges (including heavy use of expletives), visible weapons (guns and knives in some footage), and reports of gunshots. Police intervened on both days, and a strong police presence was deployed as the events proceeded. No fatalities were widely reported in initial coverage, though assaults and injuries occurred, and the EFF opened a criminal case.
Timeline and Key Incidents
- Friday, 18 September 2026 (preparations day): Tensions flared as both groups prepared venues. Mchunu’s supporters were setting up at Dube Village Sports Ground / Dube sports ground (near Dube Village Mall) for his Bhinca Heritage & Maskandi Festival. EFF supporters were preparing at or near JL Dube Stadium for the party’s KwaZulu-Natal provincial manifesto launch (to be addressed by Julius Malema).Accounts differ sharply on who started it. The EFF alleged that Mchunu and his bodyguards assaulted volunteers (who were mobilising or putting up posters), removed party materials, and fired shots at them. EFF KZN Provincial Chairperson Mongezi Twala and others went to Inanda Police Station to open a case, accusing Mchunu’s group of shooting at “innocent fighters.” Twala warned that if police did not protect them, the party would defend itself.Mchunu’s side claimed EFF supporters crossed over and provoked them (including alleged assaults on him). Mchunu later said a member of his security team fired an AK-47 into the air after seeing firearms among the EFF group and shots being fired; he described it as a response that dispersed the crowd. Footage circulated showing physical fights (one clip reportedly showed a Mchunu supporter striking an EFF member with a traditional speaker), shoving, and armed individuals.
- Saturday, 19 September 2026 (event day): Clashes continued or reignited as both events went ahead a few kilometres apart. EFF leaders, including Secretary-General Marshall Dlamini, arrived at or near Mchunu’s venue. Dlamini described Mchunu as a “small boy” and attention-seeker, saying the party was ensuring the safety of its members and buses (the route to the stadium reportedly passed near Mchunu’s site, raising fears of stoning or blocking). EFF spokesperson Mazwi Blose claimed Mchunu lacked a proper permit and that the festival was a deliberate diversion/provocation intended to disrupt the manifesto launch and block access.Mchunu insisted his event was a legitimate, low-risk heritage/cultural gathering (with prayer elements mentioned in one account) that had followed protocols with local councillors, and that it was not organised to disrupt the EFF. He denied deliberate provocation and called for mutual respect. Police separated the groups.
Both sides proceeded with their programmes despite the tension. The EFF held its manifesto launch; Mchunu’s festival also went ahead.
Background to the Feud
This was not an isolated incident. Ngizwe Mchunu (former Ukhozi FM presenter, podcaster, traditional healer/sangoma, and cultural activist associated with “Bhinca”/heritage events) and EFF leader Julius Malema have a long-running public dispute involving mutual accusations, insults, and legal action.
Earlier in 2026, Mchunu faced defamation proceedings over statements about Malema (including claims involving foreign nationals, corruption allegations linked to VBS and other matters, and personal insults). Court orders restrained him from repeating certain remarks; he was later found guilty of contempt for republishing prohibited statements and issued public apologies and retractions. Overlapping events had previously caused friction (e.g., references to 2024 clashes over similar timing in the Durban area).
The proximity of the 2026 events—EFF political rally versus Mchunu’s cultural/heritage festival—intensified the existing rivalry, with each side accusing the other of provocation, territorial claims, and attempts to mobilise against or disrupt the other.
Differing Narratives and Broader Context
- EFF perspective: Mchunu deliberately chose the location and date to provoke, mobilise against the party, remove posters, assault members, and threaten the safety of the manifesto launch and Malema’s arrival. The party emphasised self-defence and proceeding with political campaigning.
- Mchunu perspective: His group was preparing a cultural event and was provoked by EFF supporters entering their space; any shooting was defensive (warning shots). He framed the EFF actions as bullying and political intolerance toward a non-political heritage gathering.
- Independent reporting and circulating videos confirmed physical altercations, the presence of weapons, police intervention, and high tensions, but precise sequencing of who initiated violence or discharged firearms remains contested between the parties.
