Nigeria Presses South Africa for Answers as 3 Nationals Die in 4 Days
Nigeria has intensified calls for accountability in South Africa following the deaths of three Nigerian nationals in separate incidents between September 18 and 21, with the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg demanding transparent investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The Consul-General, Ambassador Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, urged South African authorities to establish the facts surrounding the three incidents and ensure that anyone found responsible is brought before the law.
The deceased were identified as Kenechukwu Igwemmadu, Olaniyi Olatunde and Christian Nnaemeka. Their deaths occurred in Bloemfontein, Pretoria and Ekurhuleni respectively, raising renewed concerns about the safety of Nigerians living in South Africa.
According to the Consulate, Igwemmadu died on September 18 after allegedly jumping from a building while attempting to escape alleged police harassment and brutality at Kenlin Court in Bloemfontein.
Olatunde, a Nigerian security guard, was allegedly shot following an argument at Spanata Bar and Grills Night Club in Mamelodi East, Pretoria. He was taken to Mamelodi Hospital with a gunshot wound but died on September 21. The Consulate said the alleged shooter later returned to the club and threatened witnesses before leaving the scene.
The third case involved Nnaemeka, whose death followed an alleged encounter with South African politician and investigative content creator Xolani Khumalo and members of his Sizok’thola team in Primrose, Ekurhuleni. The Consulate said Nnaemeka was allegedly assaulted before attempting to escape, subsequently collapsing and dying after being taken to hospital.
The Nigerian diplomatic mission also recalled the February death of another Nigerian, Emeka Uzor, who was reportedly shot during an encounter involving Khumalo’s reality television crew in Windsor East, Randburg. The Consulate said no arrest had been made in that case.
Okey-Uche called for due process in all the cases, stressing that allegations should be properly investigated and suspects should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The Consulate has also urged Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm, law-abiding and security-conscious while diplomatic efforts continue to pursue the welfare and fair treatment of Nigerian citizens.
The latest developments have placed renewed attention on the protection of Nigerians abroad and the responsibility of authorities to investigate deaths involving foreign nationals transparently and according to law.
