South African authorities are investigating the death of a 42-year-old Nigerian man who collapsed and died while he was being arrested by police in Cape Town last week.
The man, identified as Ibeh Chika Simon, died during a police operation in the Western Cape.
The circumstances surrounding his death have raised concerns in Nigeria, with Nigerian officials calling for a clear and open investigation into what happened.
The case comes at a time when relations between South Africa and Nigeria are under pressure because of concerns about the treatment of Nigerians and other foreign nationals in South Africa.
Post-Mortem Finds Bruises and Injuries
The first results from a post-mortem examination showed that Simon had suffered several injuries.
According to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, known as Ipid, Simon “sustained multiple bruises and abrasions on his back and chest”.
Ipid is an independent organisation responsible for investigating complaints and serious incidents involving members of the South African police and other law enforcement agencies.
The post-mortem findings are expected to form part of the investigation into the events that led to Simon’s death.
The full cause of his death has not yet been established, and the investigation is still continuing.
Nigeria Calls for Investigation
Nigerian diplomat Ninikanwa Okey-Uche expressed strong concern over Simon’s death.
Okey-Uche, who is Nigeria’s consul general in Johannesburg, said Nigeria was deeply concerned about reports surrounding the police operation.
She said her country was “deeply appalled by reports of the egregious police tactics that led to his death” on Thursday.
She called for a “transparent” investigation into the incident.
The Nigerian diplomat also raised concerns about what she described as “an alarming pattern of unresolved extrajudicial killings/deaths and unacceptable misconduct against foreign nationals”.
She stressed that people suspected of crimes should be treated according to the law and given the right to defend themselves in court.
“Suspects are entitled to due process in a court of law; no authority should be above it”.
Police Give Their Account of What Happened
Western Cape police have provided their own account of the events leading to Simon’s death.
In a statement, police said Simon died while he “was being placed under arrest [as] he allegedly became unwell and collapsed”.
According to Western Cape police spokesperson Col Andre Traut, officers were carrying out a search at a home in the area when they discovered an unlicensed firearm and what appeared to be drugs.
Police then moved to arrest Simon.
However, according to the police account, he “collapsed”.
Paramedics were called to the scene to provide medical assistance.
Despite their efforts, Simon was “declared deceased at the scene”.
The police have not said that Simon was killed by officers. The circumstances surrounding his death are now being examined by Ipid.
Nigeria Raises Concern About Another Nigerian
Okey-Uche also said there were reports that another Nigerian, Egwabor Patrick Chuks, was shot during the same police operation.
According to the Nigerian diplomat, Chuks was taken to hospital and was suffering from serious injuries.
However, Western Cape police said there was “no record of the incident”.
The disagreement over what happened to Chuks has added to calls for a full investigation into the police operation.
The authorities are expected to examine all available evidence and information as part of the investigation.
Nigerian Foreign Ministry Responds
Nigeria’s foreign ministry has also reacted to the death.
Speaking to the BBC on Monday, the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, described the incident as “a very unfortunate situation”.
The Nigerian government is expected to continue following the investigation as South African authorities work to establish exactly what happened.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate is now leading the investigation into Simon’s death.
South Africa’s Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration also confirmed that the matter was being investigated.
The committee gave the update during its regular public briefing on the country’s approach to migration management on Sunday.
South African Government Comments
Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, who chairs the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration, also spoke about the incident.
She said that during the police operation in Cape Town last Thursday “some foreign nationals… were resisting law enforcement operations”.
Her comments came as authorities continued to discuss the circumstances surrounding the police operation and the death of Simon.
The investigation is expected to determine what happened during the arrest and whether any wrongdoing took place.
Another Nigerian Death Under Investigation
Simon’s death is not the first recent case involving the death of a Nigerian in South Africa during an alleged police operation.
Earlier this month, South African authorities confirmed the death of another Nigerian in June under similar circumstances.
In June, Nigeria’s foreign ministry reported the death of Emeka Charles Iroegbu, who was also allegedly killed by South African police.
Ipid is investigating that case as well.
The two cases have increased concerns among Nigerian officials about the safety of Nigerians living in South Africa.
They have also added to wider tensions between the two countries.
Tensions Over Treatment of Foreign Nationals
Relations between South Africa and Nigeria have been affected by concerns about xenophobic violence.
Xenophobia refers to hostility or violence directed at people because they come from another country.
South Africa has experienced several incidents of violence and protests targeting foreign nationals over the years.
Nigerian officials have raised concerns about the safety of their citizens in the country.
South Africa, however, has repeatedly rejected xenophobia and discrimination.
The government has said it “categorically reject[s] xenophobia, racism, homophobia, and intolerance and discrimination in all their manifestations”.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has also acknowledged concerns about migration but has urged South Africans not to take the law into their own hands.
Ghana Also Raises Concerns
The situation has also affected relations between South Africa and Ghana.
Diplomatic tensions grew following claims that a Ghanaian man was killed during anti-migrant protests in South Africa.
South African officials have rejected those allegations.
Ghana became the first African country to repatriate some of its citizens from South Africa at the beginning of the recent wave of anti-migrant protests.
The developments have raised wider concerns about the safety of African migrants living and working in South Africa.
Case Taken to International Criminal Court
Two Ghanaian nationals have also asked the International Criminal Court, or ICC, to investigate alleged attacks against migrants in South Africa.
Their petition claims there has been a “pattern of widespread and systematic attacks” against foreigners.
The petition argues that the reported violence could amount to crimes against humanity.
However, the South African government has rejected the petition.
Officials described it as “opportunistic” and said it does not meet the ICC’s legal requirements.
The South African government also said that its own courts are capable of dealing with cases involving attacks and violence against foreign nationals.
The ICC has not yet said whether it will consider the request.
Ecowas Calls for Protection of Migrants
The issue has also attracted attention from other African countries.
Last week, leaders of the West African regional bloc Ecowas condemned reports of attacks against African migrants in South Africa.
Nigeria and Ghana raised the issue during a summit in Sierra Leone.
The leaders called on South African authorities to take quick action to protect foreign nationals living in the country.
The call came as concerns continued to grow over reports of violence and discrimination against migrants.
Investigation Expected to Provide Answers
The investigation into Simon’s death is now being handled by Ipid.
The main questions include what happened during the police operation, what caused Simon to collapse and whether police officers followed the correct procedures during his arrest.
The investigation will also be important in addressing concerns raised by the Nigerian government and Simon’s family.
For now, South African authorities have said the matter is under investigation.
The case comes at a sensitive time for relations between South Africa and Nigeria, as both countries face growing concerns about the treatment of foreign nationals.
As the investigation continues, Nigerian officials are calling for transparency, while South African authorities maintain that the circumstances surrounding Simon’s death must be properly examined.
The outcome of the investigation could have wider implications for relations between the two countries and for ongoing discussions about the safety and treatment of African migrants in South Africa.
