The death of a Nigerian national, Ibeh Chika Simon, during a police operation in Cape Town has intensified concerns over the treatment of foreign nationals in South Africa, with Nigerian authorities demanding accountability amid renewed diplomatic tensions.
Simon, 42, reportedly died on July 23 during an operation by the South African Police Service in the Bellville area of Cape Town. The incident has attracted widespread attention following the circulation of a viral video said to show officers physically handling the deceased during his arrest.
In a statement, the Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg described the circumstances surrounding Simon’s death as disturbing and called for a thorough investigation.
The Consul General, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, said the mission was deeply concerned by reports surrounding the incident, as well as the shooting of another Nigerian, Egwabor Patrick Chuks, who is currently receiving treatment for severe injuries.
According to the consulate, the development reflects a troubling pattern of alleged extrajudicial killings and misconduct involving foreign nationals in South Africa.
The mission also expressed concern that the incident came against the backdrop of growing anti-foreigner sentiment, stressing the need to uphold the rights to life, dignity and due process as guaranteed under South African law.
However, the Western Cape Police denied allegations of misconduct, maintaining that Simon became ill and collapsed while officers were attempting to place him under arrest.
Police authorities said the deceased suddenly took ill during the operation before losing consciousness.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s Independent Police Investigative Directorate said preliminary post-mortem findings revealed that Simon sustained multiple bruises and abrasions on his back and chest.
The agency confirmed that a formal investigation into the incident had commenced to determine the circumstances surrounding his death.
South Africa’s Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration also announced that it had begun its own investigation into the matter.
The incident comes amid renewed concerns over xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals, particularly Nigerians, in South Africa.
The diplomatic row also deepened on Monday after President Bola Tinubu reportedly declined to receive a special delegation from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Instead, the visiting team, led by South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, was directed to meet with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye.
The investigations by South African authorities are ongoing, while the Nigerian government continues to seek clarification over the circumstances surrounding Simon’s death.
