The Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg has called for justice following the deaths of three Nigerian nationals in separate incidents across South Africa, amid renewed concerns over the safety of Nigerians in the country.
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The deaths reportedly occurred between September 18 and 21. Nigeria’s Consul-General in Johannesburg, Amb. Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, disclosed the incidents in a statement issued Monday, calling on South African authorities to fully establish the circumstances surrounding each death and to ensure that anyone found responsible faces prosecution.
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Three separate incidents
According to the Consul-General, Kenechukwu Igwemmadu died on September 18 after jumping from a building at Kenlin Court on Douglas Street, Bloemfontein, while allegedly attempting to escape police harassment and brutality.
Two days later, Olaniyi Olatunde, a Nigerian security guard, was allegedly shot by an unidentified South African following a dispute over a cup belonging to Spanata Bar and Grills Night Club in Mamelodi East, Pretoria. Olatunde was taken to Mamelodi Hospital after sustaining a gunshot wound and died there on September 21. The alleged shooter reportedly returned to the club afterward to threaten witnesses before fleeing the scene.
The third victim, Christian Nnaemeka, reportedly died on September 21 following an encounter with South African politician and investigative content creator Xolani Khumalo and members of his Sizok’thola team in Primrose, Ekurhuleni. The Consul-General said Nnaemeka was allegedly assaulted and tortured during the encounter before attempting to flee. “He (Nnaemeka) was reported to have collapsed from his injuries and exhaustion, and later pronounced dead after being taken to hospital,” Okey-Uche said.
Pattern of concern, past case unresolved
Okey-Uche also referenced an earlier case from February 9, when another Nigerian national, Emeka Uzor, was shot during an encounter with Khumalo’s reality television crew in Windsor East, Randburg. She noted that no arrests have been made in that case to date.
“The recent deaths raise concerns about the treatment and security of Nigerians, and other Africans in South Africa, amid xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks, threats and other forms of ill-treatment,” she said. “All lives matter. Allegations must be handled through due process, with suspects presumed innocent and given opportunity to defend themselves in court.”
The Consul-General urged Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm, law-abiding, and security-conscious, while assuring them that the Consulate would continue to pursue their interests, welfare, and fair treatment.
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