Nigeria says two of its citizens have been killed in South Africa “at a time when foreigners are being unduly targeted” there.
A statement from the foreign ministry said Emeka Charles Iroegbu was “reportedly killed” on 28 June by police officers “using gruesome interrogation techniques”, while unidentified assailants had killed shop owner Musa Yunana Joe on the same day.
South African police say Iroegbu collapsed after being arrested for drug possession and say his death was not linked to the ongoing anti-migrant protests.
Nigeria’s foreign ministry said the deaths came amid a rise in anti-migrant sentiment in South Africa.
Some 25,000 citizens of other African countries have been repatriated in recent weeks, including about 700 Nigerians.
Protesters in South Africa have urged the government to do more to curb illegal migration. They say foreigners are taking jobs and unfairly benefiting from public services.
In its statement, Nigeria’s foreign ministry said Iroegbu was reportedly killed in Pretoria by officers from the Tshwane Metro police department.
The South African body that investigates police conduct told the BBC on Monday the Iroegbu case was reported to it last week and that “our investigation is underway”.
The police later issued a statement saying that Iroegbu had been arrested for alleged possession of drugs and as they were handcuffing him, he collapsed. The police then called for medical help and he was declared dead at the scene.
The police said they rejected “attempts to link this incident to anti-illegal immigrants protests”.
“Such claims are baseless and an attempt to mislead the public,” they said.
Last week, Ghana last week said it had received reports that one of its citizen had been killed in Cape Town during anti-migrant protests, a claim dismissed as “false information” by South African authorities.
Joe, killed on 28 June, was attacked outside his shop in the city of eMalahleni, the ministry said.
South African police said Joe “was accosted by an armed suspect who fired several shots at him” and then fled the scene.
They said they were still investigating the motive for the attack.
Abuja said it was placing the South African government “on notice” and that “all options remain on the table… if the uncultured and provocative trend of intolerance and apartheid-style behaviour of South Africa against foreigners is not addressed”.
Nigeria has said it will seek compensation from South Africa for its citizens who have left the country, adding that Abuja had begun documenting businesses and properties left behind by Nigerians.
However, at a media briefing on Friday, South African cabinet minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said her government would not pay compensation and that Nigerians can sell registered properties they left behind on the South African market.
She also said: “We would be interested to know where the drug dens of Nigerians are, so they can show us where they have been holding the drugs so we can clean the drugs in South Africa quite urgently.”
Nigeria’s foreign ministry strongly condemned this comment in their statement on Sunday, calling it “unacceptable”.
“Such derogatory, unprofessional and uncensored generalised public statements by highly placed government officials constitute hate speech,” the ministry said.
Police said protests across the country on Tuesday were peaceful [AFP via Getty Images]
Nigeria’s foreign ministry also accused protest groups in South Africa, including March on March and Operation Dudula, of inciting violence and hatred against other Africans.
It warned that those responsible could face regional and international legal action, though it is unclear steps Nigeria would take and whether it plans to raise the issue with the African Union.
Some anti-migrant groups in South Africa had given undocumented foreigners a deadline of 30 June to leave the country.
Ghana, Malawi and Nigeria are among African countries which repatriated some of their citizens ahead of the deadline.
South Africa has one of the highest rates of unemployment in the world – at more than 30% – and anti-migrant sentiment has been rising in recent months.
The continent’s most developed economy remains a magnet for people from poorer countries seeking work often in low-paid jobs.
Additional reporting by Khanyisile Ngcobo and Pumza Fihlani in Johannesburg
[BBC]
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