The South African authorities are investigating the death of a Nigerian man who collapsed while he was being arrested by police in Cape Town last week.
The initial post‑mortem showed that Ibeh Chika Simon, 42, sustained multiple bruises and abrasions on his back and chest, according to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.
Nigerian diplomat Ninikanwa Okey‑Uche said her country was deeply appalled by reports of the egregious police tactics that led to his death.
Western Cape police said Simon died while he was being placed under arrest as he allegedly became unwell and collapsed.
Simon’s death comes amid heightened tensions between South Africa and Nigeria over allegations that Nigerians have been the target of xenophobic violence.
Earlier this month, the South African authorities confirmed the death of another Nigerian in June under similar circumstances.
In her statement condemning Simon’s death, Okey‑Uche, Nigeria’s consul general in Johannesburg, called for a transparent investigation and alleged that there was an alarming pattern of unresolved extrajudicial killings and unacceptable misconduct against foreign nationals.
“Suspects are entitled to due process in a court of law; no authority should be above it,” she added.
She also mentioned reports that another Nigerian, Egwabor Patrick Chuks, was shot during the same operation and was in hospital with serious injuries, although Western Cape police said there was no record of that incident.
Western Cape police spokesperson Col Andre Traut described the circumstances as officers conducting a search at a home when they found an unlicensed firearm and what appeared to be drugs.
When Simon collapsed during the arrest, paramedics were called and he was declared deceased at the scene.
Speakers from Nigeria’s foreign ministry described the incident as “a very unfortunate situation.”
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate is now looking into what happened.
South Africa’s Inter‑Ministerial Committee on Migration confirmed the matter was being investigated and noted that some foreign nationals had resisted law enforcement operations during the police operation.
The committee, chaired by Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, highlighted concerns about the treatment of foreign nationals and the rise of anti‑migrant protests in the country.
In June, Nigeria’s foreign ministry reported the death of Emeka Charles Iroegbu, also allegedly at the hands of South African police; IPID is investigating that case as well.
Diplomatic tensions have also grown between South Africa and Ghana following claims that a Ghanaian was killed in anti‑migrant protests; South African officials have rejected these allegations.
The South African government has categorically rejected xenophobia, racism, homophobia and intolerance in all forms and urged citizens not to take the law into their own hands, while acknowledging concerns over migration.
