South African officials are investigating the death of 42-year-old Nigerian national Ibeh Chika Simon, who collapsed while being arrested by police in Cape Town last week.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), which oversees police conduct, reported that Simon sustained multiple bruises and abrasions on his back and chest according to preliminary post-mortem results.

Western Cape police stated that Simon became unwell and collapsed during the arrest operation, which involved a search that uncovered an unlicensed firearm and suspected drugs at a residence.

Nigerian diplomat Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, the consul general in Johannesburg, condemned the incident, calling for a transparent investigation. She highlighted concerns about a troubling pattern of extrajudicial killings and misconduct targeting foreign nationals in South Africa.

Okey-Uche also mentioned reports of another Nigerian, Egwabor Patrick Chuks, who was reportedly shot during the same police operation and was hospitalized with serious injuries. However, Western Cape police have no official record of this incident.

Context of Rising Tensions

Simon’s death follows a similar case in June involving another Nigerian, Emeka Charles Iroegbu, whose death is also under investigation by Ipid.

These incidents occur amid escalating tensions between South Africa and Nigeria over xenophobic violence targeting foreign nationals. The West African regional bloc ECOWAS has condemned attacks against migrants in South Africa and urged prompt action to protect them.

South Africa’s Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, chairing the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration, acknowledged resistance from some foreign nationals during law enforcement operations but reaffirmed the country’s rejection of xenophobia and intolerance.

Diplomatic Strains and Regional Concerns

  • Diplomatic relations have also been strained between South Africa and Ghana following claims of violence against Ghanaian migrants, which South African officials deny.
  • Ghana has repatriated citizens and petitioned the International Criminal Court to investigate alleged systematic attacks on migrants, a move rejected by South Africa’s government.
  • President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged citizens to avoid taking the law into their own hands despite concerns over migration.