The Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg is calling for a full investigation into the death of a Nigerian, Chimezie Odueze. He was reportedly tortured by officers of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Cape Town.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Consul General, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, said Mr Odueze died on 9 October in the Parklands area of Cape Town.
The consulate said the news of Mr Odueze's alleged torture before his death has left his family, the Nigerian community, and Nigeria’s diplomatic missions in South Africa in shock and pain.
The statement explained that Mr Odueze was arrested at a shopping centre on suspicion of drug possession. Police took him to his home for a search. The consulate noted that no drugs were found at his home, but Mr Odueze was allegedly tortured to death.
Concerns Over Safety
The consulate described this incident as one too many. They stated that ongoing reports of extrajudicial killings of Nigerians in South Africa raise serious concerns about the safety of Nigerians and other foreign nationals in the country.
They also warned against stereotyping Nigerians. Some people are ignoring South African legal processes and wrongly generalizing about Nigerians in the country.
The consulate has urged South African authorities to carry out a thorough investigation and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
"No matter what the allegations may be, there are processes and steps to justice," Ms Okey-Uche said in the statement. She insisted that suspects must have a fair hearing in court and that no one should take the law into their own hands.
Advice to Nigerians in South Africa
The consulate also advised Nigerians in South Africa to stay calm, obey the law, and be aware of their surroundings. This comes amid ongoing xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks and threats against foreigners.
They extended their condolences to Mr Odueze’s family. They assured Nigerians that they would keep pushing for their welfare and fair treatment in South Africa.
Reports say that about 1,640 Nigerians have been evacuated from South Africa since the recent wave of xenophobia began in April. A group of 33 Nigerians was repatriated in August and another 105 in September.
Since the latest violence started, at least five Nigerians have been killed.
The most recent case reported was in July. The victim, Chika Simon, died during an encounter with the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The Nigerian consulate stated he died under questionable circumstances.
The report also mentioned previous deaths, including Amaramiro Emmanuel, Ekpenyong Andrew, Emeka Iroegbu, and Musa Joe.
The Nigerian government is demanding a full investigation into the deaths of Nigerians killed in South Africa. Investigations into these cases are still ongoing, and no arrests have been made.
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