Key facts
- Nigeria reported two citizens killed in South Africa amid anti-migrant violence.
- One Nigerian national was allegedly killed by police officers in Pretoria.
- Another Nigerian was reportedly killed by unidentified criminals in eMalahleni.
- South Africa's police watchdog is investigating the reported police killing.
- South Africa deployed its army to manage anti-migrant protests.
- South African police denied any link between a Nigerian man's death in custody and anti-migrant violence.
Nigeria reported that two of its citizens were killed in South Africa amid a surge in anti-migrant violence, with one of the deceased allegedly killed by police. The Nigerian foreign ministry issued a warning to the South African government, threatening unspecified actions if the situation is not addressed. South African police, however, stated that the death of a Nigerian man in custody was unrelated to the anti-migrant protests and was linked to his arrest for drug possession. The police watchdog is investigating the incident.
According to Nigeria's foreign ministry, one man was killed by unidentified criminals in front of his shop in eMalahleni on June 28. On the same day, another Nigerian national, Emeka Iroegbu, was reportedly killed by police officers in Pretoria during an interrogation. South Africa's Independent Police Investigative Directorate confirmed it received a report on the incident and is investigating.
South Africa deployed its army to enhance security during recent nationwide anti-migrant rallies, which were largely peaceful but occasionally turned violent. Foreign nationals and their businesses have been targeted by vigilantes in recent months, with some South Africans attributing problems like crime and unemployment to immigrants. Migrant rights groups argue that foreigners are being scapegoated for deeper societal issues.
This incident follows similar claims from other neighboring countries. Mozambique reported five of its citizens were killed in xenophobic attacks in late May, a figure South Africa disputed, stating the number was two. Ghana also reported one of its citizens was fatally wounded during anti-immigrant demonstrations, which South Africa claimed was unrelated to the protests.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the attacks against migrants, and police reported arresting 900 individuals during the recent protests. Nigeria's foreign ministry expressed concern over a continuing pattern of incidents, suggesting potential complicity by security operatives and raising questions about state responsibility under international law.