Xenophobia: Two more Nigerians killed in South Africa, toll rises to seven

Two more Nigerians have been killed in South Africa as the violent attacks and harassment of black foreigners continue.

This brings the total number of Nigerians killed due to the recent wave of xenophobic violence in the country to seven.

The Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg announced the deaths in a statement issued on Friday.

The victims, identified as Uchechukwu Nwankwo and Taiwo Fakunle, were “gruesomely murdered” last weekend, according to the account of their deaths provided by the consulate.

Taiwo Fakunle was murdered last Friday, 4 September, in his residence in Johannesburg. His killers, the consulate stated, are yet to be identified.

“The report of this incident is one too many and has caused the family of the deceased, the Nigerian Community and Diplomatic Missions in South Africa much shock and pain,” it noted.

The second Nigerian, James Nwankwo, was killed by officials of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Somerset West, Cape Town, a day later. He is the 6th Nigerian whose death has been linked to South African security officials since the latest wave of xenophobic violence began in April.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that two Nigerians, Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew, were killed by South African National Defence Force (SANDF) officials in April. 

Another, Emeka Iroegbu, was murdered in June. Then on 23rd July, a Nigerian identified as Ibeh Simon was murdered during a SAPS operation in Bellville, Cape Town. 

“The unfortunate incidents raised questions over the safety of Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa,” the consulate said in the statement on Friday.

“The deaths are coming at a time when foreigners are still being targeted in the country, which also raises questions about what seems to be a deliberate attempt by some elements to generalise

and tag well-meaning, respectable Nigerians in the country as criminals,” it added.

Investigations into these cases are still pending, and no arrests have been made in the past months.

However, the consulate urged the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) to “expedite their investigations and establish the facts surrounding this incident and bring the perpetrators of the gruesome act to justice.”

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In a statement released hours later, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said it viewed the “incident with grave concern and condemns it in the strongest terms possible.”

The ministry said it considered it “extremely worrisome” that in South Africa, security officials meant to protect are “resorting to unacceptable interrogation techniques” that are leading to the deaths of foreigners.

It called on “the relevant South African authorities to immediately commence thorough and transparent investigations into the circumstances surrounding the two killings,” and hold the perpetrators accountable.

South Africa’s anti-foreigner campaign began in April, with footage of citizens attacking other Africans circulating online.

The arbitrary 30 June deadline for African foreigners to leave the country further intensified tension.

Several African countries have repatriated many of their citizens so far, including Nigeria, Ghana, Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe.