Gqeberha, Eastern Cape — A massive Gqeberha cellphone theft protest has brought hundreds of Nelson Mandela Bay residents to the streets, targeting an alleged illicit market for stolen devices in the Korsten area. Organized by the Mayibuye Civic Movement (MCM), the demonstration highlights growing community frustration over a spike in violent crime and broader socio-economic challenges across the Eastern Cape metro.
The Mayibuye Civic Movement maintains that its demonstrations are directly driven by the urgent needs and concerns of the communities it represents. According to residents, the Korsten area—specifically around Durban Road—has become a notorious hub for the sale of stolen goods, particularly cellphones. Protesters argue that this alleged black market fuels a cycle of crime across the metro, as criminals target residents in other neighborhoods specifically to supply this illicit trade.
Tukela Zumani, president of the Mayibuye Civic Movement, highlighted the severe escalation of violence linked to the stolen goods trade.
“We have become used to seeing instances where people storm into a house in broad daylight shooting every occupant of that house only to steal a couple of cell phones, a laptop, and a TV,” Zumani stated. He explained that the movement’s understanding is that this spike in violent crime is directly linked to the steady and ready market for stolen goods located in Korsten.
Beyond the targeted protests against stolen goods, residents expressed deep frustration over a lack of basic socio-economic stability. Community members noted that while violent crime occurs in the townships, the stolen items are openly sold in local shops. Protesters also voiced concerns over severe unemployment and a rising drug crisis among the youth, with some lamenting that the country’s socio-economic fabric is failing its most vulnerable.
The demonstration comes hot on the heels of a similar march recently organized by the same civic movement, which focused on the reopening of asylum seeker applications. This follows a Constitutional Court judgment late last month regarding the matter.
Addressing the previous action, Zumani explained that the movement was responding to direct community mandates. “It is the residents of the Mandela Bay who came to us and said there is a frustration over the fact that the asylum seeker application process is being reopened,” he said. He noted that the movement had previously stood up to declare they would go to the Department of Home Affairs and shut it down to ensure what they described as a “horrendous practice” would not continue.
Despite the focus on immigration processes in their recent marches, the Mayibuye Civic Group has firmly reiterated that its stance is strictly against criminal activities and not directed against foreign nationals.
The movement has made it clear that it will continue to stage demonstrations and mobilize residents until tangible, measurable progress is made in addressing the pressing safety and socio-economic concerns of the Nelson Mandela Bay communities.
