South African authorities are investigating the death of a Nigerian man, Ibeh Chika Simon, 42, who collapsed during an arrest in Cape Town last week. Initial post-mortem results indicate Simon sustained multiple bruises and abrasions on his back and chest. This incident has triggered strong condemnation from Nigerian diplomats and reignited concerns about police conduct towards foreign nationals in South Africa.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), the body overseeing police conduct, is examining the circumstances surrounding Simon's death. Nigerian Consul General Ninikanwa Okey-Uche expressed her country's deep dismay over reports of what she termed "egregious police tactics." Western Cape police stated Simon became unwell and collapsed while being arrested, and paramedics declared him deceased at the scene.
This event occurs amidst heightened diplomatic tensions between South Africa and Nigeria regarding alleged xenophobic violence. Earlier this month, South African authorities confirmed another Nigerian died in June under similar circumstances. These incidents contribute to a pattern of unresolved deaths and misconduct claims against foreign nationals, according to Nigerian officials.
Consul General Okey-Uche called for a "transparent" investigation into Simon's death. She highlighted an "alarming pattern of unresolved extrajudicial killings/deaths and unacceptable misconduct against foreign nationals." Okey-Uche emphasized that suspects are entitled to due process in a court of law, and no authority should be above it. She also mentioned reports of another Nigerian, Egwabor Patrick Chuks, being shot during the same operation and currently hospitalized, though Western Cape police claim no record of this incident.
Western Cape police spokesperson Col Andre Traut detailed the arrest, stating officers found an unlicensed firearm and suspected drugs during a search. Simon collapsed as they moved to arrest him. Nigeria's foreign ministry spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, described the situation as "a very unfortunate situation." The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration, chaired by Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, confirmed the investigation, noting that some foreign nationals resisted law enforcement operations during the incident.
The death of Simon follows the reported death of Emeka Charles Iroegbu in June, also allegedly at the hands of South African police, which Ipid is also investigating. Diplomatic relations have also strained between South Africa and Ghana over claims of a Ghanaian man killed during anti-migrant protests. Ghana was the first African country to repatriate citizens from South Africa during the recent wave of anti-migrant protests, and two Ghanaian nationals have petitioned the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate alleged attacks as potential crimes against humanity.
South Africa has rejected the ICC petition as "opportunistic," asserting its own courts are capable of handling such cases. Leaders of the West African regional bloc Ecowas condemned reported attacks on African migrants last week, urging South African authorities to protect foreign nationals. President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged migration concerns but urged citizens against vigilantism. South Africa maintains it "categorically reject[s] xenophobia, racism, homophobia, and intolerance and discrimination in all their manifestations."