South Africa reports deaths of two more Nigerian citizens
Two more Nigerian citizens have died in South Africa. The total number of Nigerians whose deaths have been linked to the latest wave of xenophobic violence in the country has reached seven, Premium Times Nigeria reports, citing the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg.
New cases
According to the consulate, Taiwo Fakunle died at his home in Johannesburg on September 4. The people involved in his death have not yet been identified.
Another Nigerian citizen died the following day in Somerset West in Cape Town. The consulate said he was killed by officers of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The diplomatic mission noted that this was the sixth death of a Nigerian linked to South African security forces since the start of the new wave of violence in April. According to the publication, in April, members of the South African National Defence Force killed Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew. Emeka Iroegbu died in June, while Ibeh Simon died during a SAPS operation in Bellville, Cape Town, on July 23.
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Calls for an investigation
The Nigerian Consulate said investigations into these cases are ongoing and that there have been no arrests in recent months. It called on the Independent Police Investigative Directorate to speed up efforts to establish the circumstances of the incidents and hold those responsible accountable.
Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the deaths of the two citizens and called on South African authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation. The ministry described reports of security personnel using unacceptable interrogation methods, which it said lead to the deaths of foreigners, as deeply alarming.
Premium Times Nigeria writes that the anti-foreigner campaign in South Africa began in April, and tensions intensified after a June 30 deadline was set for African foreigners to leave. Nigeria, Ghana, Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe have already repatriated some of their citizens.
