Key facts
- Two Nigerian nationals were killed in South Africa on June 28.
- One Nigerian, Emeka Charles Iroegbu, was reportedly killed by police officers in Pretoria.
- The other Nigerian, Musa Yunana Joe, was killed by unidentified assailants outside his shop in eMalahleni.
- The killings occurred amid rising anti-migrant sentiment and protests in South Africa.
- Nigeria, Ghana, and Malawi have repatriated citizens due to the violence.
- Nigeria condemned remarks by South African minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni as hate speech.
Nigeria has reported that two of its citizens were killed in South Africa on June 28 amid a surge in anti-immigrant sentiment and violence targeting foreign nationals. The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Emeka Charles Iroegbu was allegedly killed by officers from the Tshwane Metro police department in Pretoria, while Musa Yunana Joe was killed by unidentified assailants outside his shop in eMalahleni on the same day.
These incidents occur as South Africa grapples with high unemployment, with protesters blaming migrants for taking jobs and straining public services. The escalating situation has led to the repatriation of approximately 25,000 citizens from various African countries, including around 700 Nigerians. Some anti-migrant groups had issued a deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave the country by June 30.
Nigeria's foreign ministry has placed the South African government "on notice," warning that "all options remain on the table" if the "intolerance and apartheid-style behaviour" against foreigners is not addressed. The ministry strongly condemned recent remarks by South African cabinet minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, calling them "derogatory, unprofessional and uncensored generalised public statements" that constitute "hate speech."
South Africa has a history of xenophobic violence, notably in 2008 when over 60 people died.