Activist Shinga Shitaf has warned that his group will not allow anyone to enter Moses Mabhida Stadium for tomorrow’s MTN8 final unless two demands are met. He spoke outdoors in Durban on Friday while a crowd gathered around him, wearing traditional attire and addressing reporters from Durban Network.
Shinga said the group will boycott the match and block entry to the stadium if the Constitutional Court does not overturn a decision linked to their campaign, and if the government does not tell them when it will deport illegal foreign nationals. He made it clear that people will not be allowed inside if those conditions are not met before kick-off.
The final is set for Saturday, 10 October 2026, between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns. The Premier Soccer League confirmed Moses Mabhida as the venue earlier, and it will be one of the most times the Durban stadium has hosted the competition’s showpiece since it opened after the 2010 World Cup. Tickets went on sale earlier this month, and the city has described the match as an important event for local business and tourism.
Shinga’s statement comes as groups in KwaZulu-Natal continue to press government over jobs and the presence of undocumented foreign nationals. Speakers at such gatherings often link high unemployment to claims that some employers hire people who are not in the country legally. They have called for clearer timelines on deportations and for courts to support stricter enforcement.
South Africa belong to South Africans
— Minister of Staff (@Papa_Khegu) October 9, 2026
Friday’s gathering took place in an open area with tents, vehicles and supporters nearby. Shinga spoke firmly into a microphone while a reporter from Durban Network stood beside him. The clip has been shared widely, with some viewers saying the focus should stay on local concerns rather than the football.
Stadium and city officials have not yet responded in public to the specific threat to block the gates. In recent days they have spoken mainly about pitch readiness and the atmosphere expected at the final. Police and event security usually manage large matches at Moses Mabhida, but it is not yet clear how they will handle any protest planned for Saturday.
The MTN8 final remains scheduled for 6pm. Supporters of both clubs are expected to travel to Durban, and the city has treated the fixture as a chance to draw visitors ahead of the festive season. Whether Shinga’s group follows through on the warning will depend on any reply from government or the courts before the gates open.
