Three More Nigerians Die In Separate Incidents Amid South Africa’s Xenophobic Tensions

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Three more Nigerians have died in separate incidents in South Africa amid renewed concerns over the safety of Nigerians and other foreign nationals in the country.

The Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg disclosed the deaths in a statement issued on Monday by the Consul-General, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche.

According to the statement, the three Nigerians died between September 18 and 21 in incidents reported in Bloemfontein, Pretoria and Ekurhuleni.

The first victim, identified as Kenechukwu Christopher Igwemadu, allegedly jumped to his death on September 18 while attempting to escape what the consulate described as police harassment and brutality at Kenlin Court on Douglas Street in the Central Business District of Bloemfontein.

The second incident occurred on September 20 at Spanata Bar and Grills Night Club in Mamelodi East, Pretoria, where Olaniyi Olaleye Olatunde worked as a security guard.

The consulate said Olatunde was killed after he attempted to stop a South African customer from leaving the premises with a cup belonging to the facility.

“This resulted in an altercation and the South African pulled out his firearm and shot OLATUNDE in his lower body part, leading to a serious injury and profuse loss of blood,” the statement reads.

“Upon noticing the grievous harm done, the shooter immediately fled the scene.”

Okey-Uche said the unidentified shooter also allegedly threatened to kill witnesses who tried to identify him to the police.

Olatunde was taken to hospital after the shooting but died the following morning.

The third case involved Christian Hillary Nnaemeka, who died on September 21 after an alleged encounter with South African politician and investigative content creator Xolani Khumalo and members of his Sizok’thola team in Primrose, Ekurhuleni.

According to the consulate, Nnaemeka was allegedly arrested and tortured by members of the team before attempting to escape by jumping over a fence.

He reportedly collapsed from exhaustion and injuries sustained during the incident and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

Khumalo, who is seeking the position of mayor of Ekurhuleni, had previously faced allegations following the death of another Nigerian, Emeza Uzor, after an incident involving members of his team in February.

Consulate Raises Safety Concerns

The Nigerian consul-general described the reports as deeply troubling and said they had raised concerns over the safety of Nigerians and other foreign nationals in South Africa.

“The recent deaths of the three (3) Nigerians, coming in quick succession, also raises questions about what seems to be a pattern of targeting Nigerians in South Africa,” the consul-general added.

The latest deaths come after two Nigerians were reportedly killed earlier in September during attacks against foreigners in South Africa.

Two other Nigerians were also reported killed two months earlier amid renewed anti-migrant tensions in the country.

Okey-Uche called on South African authorities to investigate the deaths and establish the circumstances surrounding each incident.

She also urged Nigerians living in the country to avoid violence and remain security conscious.