The Nigerian government has condemned the killing of three Nigerians in South Africa, calling for investigations into the deaths and accountability for those responsible.
The Nigerian Consulate-General in South Africa said the recent killings were disturbing and demanded that South African authorities establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Kenechukwu Igwemmadu, Olaniyi Olatunde and Christian Nnaemeka.
Consul-General Nnikanwa Okey-Uche made the call in a statement, saying those responsible must be held accountable for their actions, adding that accountability was necessary to address growing concerns over the safety of Nigerians and other foreign nationals in South Africa.
The Nigerian Ambassador-designate to South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini, Femi Fani-Kayode, said about 112 Nigerians had been killed in South Africa since 2022.
According to Fani-Kayode, 32 of the victims were killed by members of the South African security forces. He also said no one had been brought to justice or convicted over any of the killings.
Fani-Kayode called on the South African government to prosecute those responsible and take measures to protect Nigerians living in the country.
The killings have heightened concerns over violence against Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa and contributed to renewed diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and South Africa.
In May, following the deaths of two Nigerians, the Nigerian government summoned South Africa’s representative in Nigeria and demanded an investigation into the incident.
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In July, President Bola Tinubu declined to meet a special delegation from South Africa sent by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Instead, he directed the delegation to meet with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye.
Weeks later, the National Assembly suspended official visits to South Africa and directed its members and officials to boycott legislative activities hosted or organized by South African authorities until further notice.
Other African nationals have also been killed in the country, including at least five Mozambicans, four Ghanaians and one Ugandan.
Several African countries have since begun repatriating their citizens from South Africa. Ghana was the first to commence the exercise, initially repatriating 300 nationals and subsequently evacuating more than 1,500 citizens. Mozambique has repatriated more than 700 nationals, while Malawi has evacuated over 170.
The latest batch of 105 Nigerians arrived in Nigeria last Thursday, comprising 83 adults and 23 students. Government officials received the returnees following their evacuation from South Africa.
Private organizations and religious bodies have also contributed to the repatriation efforts. The Redeemed Christian Church of God donated more than $265,000 to fund one-way tickets for the evacuation of 500 distressed Nigerians from South Africa. More than 1,640 Nigerians have been repatriated from South Africa since June.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has attributed the violence to illegal migration and the actions of what he described as “opportunists” exploiting public sentiment to carry out criminal activities.
Mr Ramaphosa said his government would take action against those responsible, stressing that lawlessness would not be tolerated.
“These are the acts of opportunists who are exploiting the legitimate grievances, particularly those of the poor, under the false guise of ‘community activism’,” he said.
Premium Times
