Nigeria Accuses South Africa of Killing Two Citizens Amid Anti-Migrant Attacks
Nigeria's foreign ministry says two of its citizens have been killed in South Africa, one allegedly by police using gruesome interrogation techniques and another by unknown assailants. The incidents occur as anti-migrant sentiment rises in South Africa, leading to the repatriation of about 25,000 foreign nationals, including 700 Nigerians.
Nigeria's foreign ministry announced on Sunday that two of its citizens had been killed in South Africa. According to the statement, Emeka Charles Iroegbu was allegedly killed on June 28 by officers from the Tshwane Metro Police Department in Pretoria using 'gruesome interrogation techniques.' On the same day, shop owner Musa Yunana Joe was killed by unknown attackers in the city of eMalahleni. South African authorities have yet to comment.
The ministry said the deaths come amid a surge in anti-migrant sentiment in South Africa, which has led to the repatriation of roughly 25,000 foreign nationals, including about 700 Nigerians. Protesters in South Africa have urged the government to curb illegal immigration, claiming foreigners are taking jobs and unfairly benefiting from public services.
Abuja said it was putting the South African government 'on notice' and warned that 'all options remain on the table' if the 'uncultured and provocative trend of intolerance and apartheid-style behavior' continues. Nigeria also said it will seek compensation for its citizens who have left South Africa and has begun documenting businesses and properties left behind.
However, at a media briefing on Friday, South African cabinet minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said her government would not pay compensation, adding that Nigerians could sell registered properties on the South African market. She also remarked, '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.' Nigeria's foreign ministry strongly condemned these comments as 'unacceptable hate speech.'
The ministry also accused protest groups, including March on March and Operation Dudula, of inciting violence and hatred, and warned of possible legal action at regional and international levels. Some anti-migrant groups had given undocumented foreigners a 30 June deadline to leave. Ghana, Malawi, and Nigeria repatriated some citizens before that deadline. South Africa has one of the highest unemployment rates globally—over 30%—and anti-migrant sentiment has been rising in recent months.
