KZN residents protest during Cyril Ramaphosa’s title deed handover in Umzimkhulu

Protests erupted in Umzimkhulu in KwaZulu-Natal during a title deed handover ceremony attended by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Residents erupted into a protest during a title deed handover event held in Umzimkhulu in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday. The event, attended by Cyril Ramaphosa, was briefly unsettled when a group of disgruntled residents displayed placards bearing various grievances during the President’s address.

Police spokesperson Thembinkosi Vilane said swift action by the Public Order Police (POP) ensured that a government title deeds handover event proceeded without major disruption at Esayidi TVET College, despite tensions from protesting community members. “The protest prompted POP officers from the South African Police Service to move swiftly and position themselves strategically inside the marquee,” said Vilane. Vilane said tensions escalated further during the formal handover of title deeds, when some members of the group attempted to move towards the stage.

“Their advance was quickly halted by POP officers, who implemented preventative crowd-control measures to maintain order and protect attendees.” Despite the disruption, Vilane said the title deed handover event proceeded. Authorities have not disclosed the specific grievances raised by the protesters, but the incident highlights ongoing community frustrations in parts of KwaZulu-Natal.