Another Nigerian has been killed in South Africa as violence and harassment against black foreigners continue.
The Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg announced on Saturday that the Nigerian, named Ibeh Simon, died under unclear circumstances.
With this incident, five Nigerians have now been killed in South Africa since the latest wave of xenophobic attacks started this year.
Like the others, Mr Simon died during an encounter with security officials. The consulate reported that Mr Simon lost his life in Bellville, Cape Town, during a South African Police Service (SAPS) operation on 23rd July.
The consulate also shared that the police shot another Nigerian, Egwabor Patrick, who is still receiving treatment.
“We are deeply appalled by reports of the egregious police tactics that led to his death, as well as the shooting of Chuks…who remains under treatment with severe injuries.
“This tragic event highlights an alarming pattern of unresolved extrajudicial killings and unacceptable misconduct against foreign nationals.
“Amid rising anti-African sentiment, such actions reveal a troubling disregard for the fundamental rights to life, dignity, and due process guaranteed by South African law to all human beings,” it said.
Earlier reports noted the deaths of other Nigerians in April and July. The victims include Amaramiro Emmanuel, Ekpenyong Andrew, Emeka Iroegbu, and Musa Joe.
The first two victims, Mr Emmanuel and Mr Andrew, were killed in April. They were allegedly killed by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in Port Elizabeth.
Mr Andrew’s body was found days after his arrest on 19 April in the Booysens area of Pretoria. He was arrested following an alleged altercation with members of the Tshwane Metro Police, and his body was later discovered at the Pretoria Central Mortuary.
Mr Emmanuel died a day later from injuries he reportedly sustained in an attack by the SANDF.
After these deaths, the Nigerian government summoned the South African High Commissioner and demanded a thorough investigation into the deaths of the two Nigerians.
Sadly, the deaths of Emeka Iroegbu and Musa Joe followed soon after. They were both killed on 28 June, but under different circumstances. Mr Joe was killed by “suspected criminals” in Witbank city, Mpumalanga province, while security operatives allegedly murdered Mr Iroegbu in Sunnyside, Pretoria.
Reports say Mr Iroegbu was tortured to death by officers of the Tshwane Metro Police in Pretoria suburbs.
Investigations into these cases are still ongoing, with no arrests made in recent months.
South Africa’s anti-foreigner campaign began in April, with videos of citizens attacking African foreigners spreading online.
The arbitrary 30 June deadline for African foreigners to leave the country raised tensions even more.
Many African countries have begun to repatriate their citizens from South Africa, including Nigeria, Ghana, Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe.
The consulate has reiterated Nigeria’s demand for an “immediate and transparent” investigation into the murder of the Nigerians.
It stated that the perpetrators must be held accountable.
“Amid rising Afrophobic sentiment, such actions reveal a troubling disregard for the fundamental rights to life, dignity, and due process guaranteed by South African law to all human beings,” the consulate noted.
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