The Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg yesterday confirmed the killing of two Nigerians by South African security forces, demanding a thorough investigation into the matter, and “bring the perpetrators to justice”.
Consul-General Ninikanwa Okey-Uche named the deceased as Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew. According to her, Emmanuel died from injuries allegedly sustained after being beaten by South African National Defence Force (SANDF) personnel on April 20.
She said Andrew was arrested in the Booysens area of Pretoria following an alleged altercation with Tshwane Metro Police April 19, and that his body was later discovered at the Pretoria Central Mortuary. This comes as South African President Cyril Ramaphosa intervened in the xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in the Southern African nation. Nigerians and other Africans have been subjected to a sustained campaign of violence and intimidation by South African anti-immigration protesters who want foreign nationals to leave their country.
The protesters accuse foreign nationals of contributing to the high unemployment in the country. Speaking at the 2026 Freedom Day national commemoration at Dr Rantlai Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein yesterday, Ramaphosa warned South Africans targeting foreigners that the government would not tolerate vigilante action, saying no one has the right to take the law into their own hands. He said: “We should never allow the legitimate concerns of our communities about illegal migration to breed prejudice towards our fellow Africans.
“We must not allow these concerns to give rise to xenophobia directed towards people from other African countries or any other parts of the world.” But he said the government is against illegal migration, businesses employing undocumented workers, and corruption within the immigration system. Ramaphosa reminded South Africans that many African countries supported the country’s antiapartheid struggle.
He said: “These countries opened their borders to our liberation fighters. They shared their bread and their homes. They spoke for us when we could not speak for ourselves.” Meanwhile, Okey-Uche said a formal case had been opened with the South African Police Service and urged the independent police investigative directorate (IPID) to ensure a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation.
She said: “We call on South African authorities to thoroughly investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators to justice. “No matter the allegations, there are lawful processes. “Everyone should be presumed innocent and granted a fair hearing in a court of law. No one should take the law into their own hands.” Okey-Uche warned against the growing trend of profiling and generalising Nigerians as criminals, describing it as dangerous.
Also, the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA) appealed to President Bola Tinubu and other African leaders to intervene in the ongoing xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa In a statement, NICASA President Frank Onyekwelu raised concerns over targeted abuse and reported cases of police brutality against Nigerians and other Africans.
