Nigeria says two nationals killed in South Africa amid anti-migrant protests, demands investigation
Nigeria's foreign ministry says two of its nationals were killed on June 28, one allegedly by police, as anti-immigrant marches swept South Africa. Abuja is demanding an investigation and has placed Pretoria 'on notice'.
The killings
Nigeria's foreign ministry said on Sunday that two Nigerian men were killed in South Africa on June 28. Emeka Charles Iroegbu was allegedly killed by police officers in Sunnyside, Pretoria, with the ministry blaming "gruesome interrogation techniques" for his death. Musa Yunana Joe was attacked outside his shop in eMalahleni (Witbank), Mpumalanga province, by unidentified assailants. The deaths occurred two days before a June 30 deadline set by anti-migrant protesters for foreign workers to leave the country.
These two killings come at a time when foreigners are being unduly targeted in South Africa. This raises questions about deliberate attempt by some elements to wrongfully generalise and tag well-meaning, hard-working, and respectable Nigerians as criminals.
Protest wave
Anti-immigrant sentiment has surged in South Africa in recent months, with protesters blaming foreigners for high unemployment, crime and pressure on public services. On June 30 alone, over 120 marches took place nationwide, with thousands participating in Johannesburg and Durban. More than 900 people were arrested on one day of demonstrations. Foreign-born residents make up roughly 5% of South Africa's 63 million population.
- Anti-immigrant protests erupt, blaming foreigners for unemployment, crime and pressure on public services.
- Two Nigerian nationals killed: one allegedly by police in Pretoria, the other by unknown attackers in eMalahleni.
- Protest deadline for foreigners to leave expires; over 120 marches held nationwide, with more than 900 arrests.
- Nigeria's foreign ministry issues statement condemning the killings, demands investigation, and warns of regional action.
Diplomatic fallout
Nigeria, Ghana and Malawi have repatriated many of their citizens and summoned South African diplomats. Nigeria's foreign ministry said roughly 25,000 citizens from other African countries have been repatriated, including some 700 Nigerians. Abuja said it was placing the South African government "on notice" and that "all options remain on the table" if the "uncultured and provocative trend of intolerance and apartheid-style behaviour" is not addressed.
Compensation row
Nigeria has said it will seek compensation from South Africa for its citizens who left, and has begun documenting businesses and properties left behind. South African cabinet minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni rejected the demand at a media briefing on Friday, saying Nigerians can sell registered properties on the South African market. She also made a controversial remark about "drug dens of Nigerians", which Nigeria's foreign ministry condemned as "derogatory, unprofessional and uncensored generalised public statements" that "constitute hate speech".
We would be interested to know where the drug dens of Nigerians are, so they can show us where they have been holding the drugs so we can clean the drugs in South Africa quite urgently.
