South African Police Say Death of Nigerian Man Not Linked to Anti-Migrant Violence

South African police ⁠said ⁠on Tuesday the ⁠death of a Nigerian man in custody late ​last month had nothing to do with a surge in anti-migrant ‌violence and that he ‌collapsed after being arrested for drug possession.

Nigeria's foreign ministry ⁠alleged ⁠on Sunday the man had died during an interrogation ​by South African police two days before nationwide rallies against undocumented migrants, threatening unspecified action if there were more attacks on its ​citizens.

"The South African Police Service strongly rejects attempts to ⁠link this ⁠incident to anti-illegal immigrant ⁠protests," ​a police spokesperson said in a statement.

The spokesperson said a police ​drugs team had ⁠arrested the Nigerian at his apartment in an intelligence-driven operation. Drugs were found at the scene, and the man collapsed while being taken into custody in a Pretoria police ⁠station, the spokesperson added.

Paramedics were called and declared him dead, ⁠and a police watchdog was notified and will investigate the incident, the spokesperson said.

South Africa's foreign ministry has said Nigeria's government should send in any evidence it has about the man's death but has not commented on the specific allegations made by its Nigerian counterpart.

The anti-migrant protests over the past few months have ⁠been mostly peaceful but at times turned violent, with attacks on foreign nationals and looting of foreign-owned shops.

Rights groups say foreigners are being used as scapegoats for ​deep-rooted problems like crime and unemployment.

By Alexander ​Winning, Reuters

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Nigeria says two nationals killed in South Africa amid rise of anti-migrant attacks

Nigeria sees no sign that anti-immigrant violence is waning in South Africa

The safety of African immigrants in South Africa is deteriorating, Nigeria’s foreign minister has warned, after two Nigerians were killed in disputed circumstances during anti-immigrant protests.

“There are no signs that the situation is improving,” Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said on Monday, while announcing more evacuation flights.

The minister demanded South African authorities investigate the deaths of two Nigerians, Musa Yunana Joe and Charles Iroegbu, killed amid “the ongoing xenophobic protests and attacks on migrants”.

South African police said Joe’s killing did not appear to be related to the protests, but could not immediately comment on Iroegbu’s death.

Nigeria’s foreign ministry says Joe was killed in front of his shop in the northeastern city of ⁠⁠eMalahleni by unidentified criminals on June 28 , while Iroegbu was killed by South African police during interrogation in Pretoria on the same day.

In a statement on Sunday, the ministry said: “We wish to place the Government of South Africa on ‌‌notice that if the situation continues to persist, all options remain on the table, some of which will be activated if the uncultured and provocative trend of intolerance… against foreigners is not addressed”.

South African foreign ministry spokesman Chrispin Phiri said the government had asked Nigeria’s High Commission to submit “any actionable information to our law enforcement authorities, which will enable a thorough, objective investigation in accordance with the rule of law”.

Weeks of anti-immigrant marches

There have been weeks of protests against undocumented migrants, with many South Africans blaming workers from other African countries for taking their jobs and putting a strain on their social services.

South Africa’s government has been accused of not doing enough to crack down on the violence, which has claimed the lives of several foreigners and seen shops owned by immigrants looted and torched.

Mozambique said that five of its citizens were killed in xenophobic attacks in late May. South Africa ⁠⁠said the number was only two.

Ghana and South Africa were embroiled in a diplomatic row last week, following the killing of a Ghanaian national. The South African government said the death of Bashiru Isak was not linked to anti-immigrant protests.

Hundreds of Nigerians, among tens of thousands of foreigners, have already left South Africa, once a popular destination for documented and undocumented African immigrants due to its relatively strong economy.

Uganda’s High Commission in Pretoria announced on Monday that a fourth group of Ugandan nationals were voluntarily repatriating.

South Africa has had a longstanding violent crime problem that precedes the outbreak of xenophobic violence.

By AFP and Reuters

Related story: Nigeria says two nationals killed in South Africa amid rise of anti-migrant attacks

Nigeria says two nationals killed in South Africa amid rise of anti-migrant attacks

Nigeria says two of its citizens have been killed in South Africa "at a time when foreigners are being unduly targeted" there.

A statement from the foreign ministry said Emeka Charles Iroegbu was "reportedly killed" on 28 June by police officers "using gruesome interrogation techniques", while unidentified assailants had killed shop owner Musa Yunana Joe on the same day.

The authorities in South Africa's capital, Pretoria, say they are investigating.

Nigeria's foreign ministry said the incidents came amid a rise in anti-migrant sentiment in South Africa, which has led to roughly 25,000 citizens from other African countries being repatriated by their nations, including some 700 Nigerians.

Protesters in South Africa have urged the government to do more to curb illegal migration. They say foreigners are taking jobs and unfairly benefiting from public services.

In its statement, Nigeria's foreign ministry said Iroegbu was reportedly killed in Pretoria by officers from the Tshwane Metro police department.

The South African body that investigates police conduct told the BBC on Monday the Iroegbu case was reported to it last week and that "our investigation is underway".

Joe, killed on 28 June, was attacked outside his shop in the city of eMalahleni, the ministry said.

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 of South Africa against foreigners is not addressed".

Nigeria has said it will seek compensation from South Africa for its citizens who have left the country, adding that Abuja had begun documenting businesses and properties left behind by Nigerians.

However, at a media briefing on Friday, South African cabinet minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said her government would not pay compensation and that Nigerians can sell registered properties they left behind on the South African market.

She also said: "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 this comment in their statement on Sunday, calling it "unacceptable".

"Such derogatory, unprofessional and uncensored generalised public statements by highly placed government officials constitute hate speech," the ministry said.

Nigeria's foreign ministry also accused protest groups in South Africa, including March on March and Operation Dudula, of inciting violence and hatred against other Africans.

It warned that those responsible could face regional and international legal action, though it is unclear steps Nigeria would take and whether it plans to raise the issue with the African Union.

Some anti-migrant groups in South Africa had given undocumented foreigners a deadline of 30 June to leave the country.

Ghana, Malawi and Nigeria are among African countries which repatriated some of their citizens ahead of the deadline.

South Africa has one of the highest rates of unemployment in the world - at more than 30% - and anti-migrant sentiment has been rising in recent months.

The continent's most developed economy remains a magnet for people from poorer countries seeking work often in low-paid jobs.

By Makuochi Okafor, BBC

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Nigeria evacuates citizens from South Africa as anti-migrant sentiment rises

269 Nigerians return home from South Africa ahead of protest deadline

 

A total of 269 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa were airlifted to the southwestern state of Lagos on Tuesday, according to a statement by Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the ministry, said that officials from the Nigerian Mission in South Africa accompanied the group of 269 evacuees. Last Wednesday, another 66 Nigerians returned aboard a South African Airways flight arranged by a Nigerian benefactor.

Ebienfa said the evacuation process remains ongoing, with more Nigerians having been screened and cleared for repatriation in the coming days.

The returnees will undergo documentation, profiling and medical screening before receiving temporary accommodation and other assistance ahead of reunification with their families.

South Africa has recently witnessed a wave of anti-immigration protests, with organizers citing unemployment, crime and pressure on public services as major concerns.

Some anti-immigration groups have called on undocumented foreigners to leave the country by June 30 and have threatened to stage nationwide protests if their demands are not met.

The first batch of 258 Nigerian nationals evacuated from South Africa arrived in Lagos on June 11.

Xinhua

Related story: Nigeria evacuates citizens from South Africa as anti-migrant sentiment rises

Nigeria and South Africa to set-up warning system on xenophobic attacks

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has met his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa, weeks after xenophobic attacks in Johannesburg triggered tensions between Africa's leading economies.

Nigerians were among those targeted during the wave of violence which resulted in the death of 12 people and led to an extraordinary airlift of hundreds of people last month.

On Thursday, amid warm smiles and a joint commitment to strengthen bilateral relations, Buhari said the attacks were "unacceptable" and called for preventive measures.

"We call for the strengthening and implementation of all the necessary measures to prevent the reoccurrence of such actions," he said.

Ramaphosa condemned the violence, saying: "Early warning mechanisms will be set up so that when we see there is restiveness in both of our people ... we will be able to inform one another."

He added: "We are equally committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that all those involved in criminal activities, regardless of their nationality, are prosecuted."

It is Buhari's first visit to South Africa since Ramaphosa's new administration was established earlier this year. The three-day visit is also the first to the country by a Nigerian leader since 2013.

Buhari and his ministers were welcomed with cannon shots and a guard of honour under a bright spring sun. At the welcome ceremony in Pretoria's Union Buildings, Ramaphosa and Buhari referred to each other as "brothers".

Economic ties

Buhari and Ramaphosa, accompanied by key ministers, discussed various issues, including strengthening economic relations.

The Nigerian leader's visit marks the 20th anniversary of a Bi-National Commission (BNC) established between the two countries in 1999. Since then, dozens of trade agreements have been signed between them.

In 2018, the total value of trade between them amounted to $3.35bn, making Nigeria South Africa's largest trade partner in West Africa.

A joint business forum between South Africa and Nigeria was held on Thursday afternoon.

"We want to create an enabling environment for doing business in our respective countries," said Ramaphosa, pointing out road, mining and infrastructure as key areas.

The South African leader also acknowledged Nigeria's support in the struggle against apartheid.

Buhari said his government is committed to fighting unemployment and poverty in his country. He also promised more opportunities for investors in Nigeria.

Formal relations between the two countries were established after the first democratic elections in South Africa in 1994.

Al Jazeera

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Video - Nigerians repatriated from South Africa after attacks

South Africa President to host Nigeria President after xenophobic violence

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will host Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari for talks, weeks after xenophobic violence strained economic ties between the two nations.

Nigeria recalled its high commissioner and evacuated some of its citizens last month after a spate of attacks in South Africa left at least 12 people dead, two of them foreigners. Protests in Nigeria over the violence targeted South African companies including mobile-phone giant MTN Group Ltd. and grocer Shoprite Holdings.

Ramaphosa and Buhari will meet Oct. 3 in Pretoria, the capital, the presidency said in a statement Tuesday. They’ll discuss ways “to strengthen political, economic, social and cultural relations,” it said.

Nigeria is South Africa’s biggest trade partner in Africa, with flows estimated at $4.5 billion last year compared with $2.9 billion a decade ago, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.South Africa has seen sporadic attacks on migrants, including Nigerians and Sudanese, the worst of which occurred in 2008 when about 60 people were killed and more than 50,000 forced from their homes. Another seven people died in similar attacks in 2015.
 
Bloomberg

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Video - Nigerians closely watching political events in South Africa

People around the world but especially in Africa are watching the political developments in South Africa closely. One of the country's biggest allies is Nigeria. And the two economies are the strongest in Africa.