The South African Police Service (SAPS) has launched a manhunt and appointed a multidisciplinary investigation team after Andile Mvuyiselwa Somgaxa, Gauteng leader of the March and March Movement, died from gunshot wounds sustained outside his Greenfield, Johannesburg home on 3 July 2026. SAPS confirmed that Somgaxa succumbed to his injuries in hospital on 13 July, ten days after the attack.

Police Response And Investigation

SAPS announced on 14 July that a team of seasoned detectives and crime intelligence officers would lead the investigation into Somgaxa’s murder. Acting National Police Commissioner Puleng Dimpane condemned the killing and stated the department’s determination to apprehend those responsible. Speaking in an official statement, Lieutenant General Dimpane said, “The appointment of a multidisciplinary team underscores the seriousness with which SAPS is treating this matter. We are committed to conducting a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding this murder and to ensure accountability.” Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, also representing SAPS, added that the police “will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that those responsible are identified, traced, and brought to justice.”

Political Tensions Surrounding The Murder

The assassination occurred shortly after the March and March Movement, of which Somgaxa was a prominent provincial leader, organised mass anti-illegal immigration protests on 30 June 2026. The demonstrations involved calls for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa, an issue that has fuelled national debate and heightened tensions in recent months. Somgaxa’s death comes at a time when anti-immigration sentiment has been a flashpoint in South African politics, with both community and political stakeholders expressing concerns about violence linked to these disputes. The investigation is being closely followed by organisations monitoring political violence and the ongoing immigration debate.

The SAPS team is expected to provide further updates as new evidence is gathered in the case.