South African authorities are investigating the death of a Nigerian man who collapsed and died while being arrested by police in Cape Town last week. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing BBC News.
Initial post-mortem results showed that Ibeh Chika Simon, 42, "sustained multiple bruises and abrasions on his back and chest," according to the independent body that oversees police conduct. Nigerian diplomat Ninikanwa Okey-Uche said her country was "deeply appalled by reports of the egregious police tactics that led to his death" on Thursday.
In its statement, 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, South African authorities confirmed the death of another Nigerian in June under similar circumstances. Okey-Uche called for a "transparent" investigation and alleged that there was "an alarming pattern of unresolved extrajudicial killings/deaths and unacceptable misconduct against foreign nationals." She also said there were reports that another Nigerian, Egwabor Patrick Chuks, was shot during the same operation and was in hospital with serious injuries, but police said there was "no record of the incident."
Describing the circumstances, Western Cape police spokesperson Col Andre Traut said officers were conducting a search at a home when they found an unlicensed firearm and what appeared to be drugs. As they moved to arrest Simon, he collapsed. Paramedics were called and he was declared deceased at the scene. Nigeria's foreign ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa described the incident as "a very unfortunate situation."
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) is now looking into what happened. South Africa's Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration also confirmed that the matter was being investigated. Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said that during the police operation "some foreign nationals... were resisting law enforcement operations."
In June, Nigeria's foreign ministry reported the death of Emeka Charles Iroegbu, also allegedly at the hands of South Africa's police. Ipid is also investigating that incident. Diplomatic tensions have also grown between South Africa and Ghana following claims that a Ghanaian man was killed during anti-migrant protests, allegations South African officials have rejected.
Two Ghanaian nationals have petitioned the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate alleged attacks against migrants in South Africa, alleging a "pattern of widespread and systematic attacks" against foreigners, arguing the violence could amount to crimes against humanity. The South African government has rejected the petition as "opportunistic."
Last week, leaders of the West African regional bloc Ecowas condemned reported attacks on African migrants in South Africa. South Africa has said it "categorically reject[s] xenophobia, racism, homophobia, and intolerance and discrimination in all their manifestations." President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged concerns over migration but has urged citizens not to take the law into their own hands.