The Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg has referred to as for a radical investigation into the death of a Nigerian, Chimezie Odueze, allegedly tortured by officers of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Cape Town.
In an announcement issued on Tuesday, the Consul General, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, stated Mr Odueze died on 9 October in the Parklands space of Cape Town.
The consulate stated reviews that Mr Odueze was tortured by police officers earlier than his death had triggered shock and ache to his household, the Nigerian neighborhood and Nigeria’s two diplomatic missions in South Africa.
According to the assertion, Mr Odueze was arrested at a purchasing centre on suspicion of drug possession and brought to his dwelling for a search. The consulate stated no medicine had been discovered on the residence, however the Nigerian nationwide was allegedly tortured to death.
The consulate described the incident as one too many, saying the recurring reviews of extrajudicial killings of Nigerians in South Africa raised severe issues concerning the security of Nigerians and different international nationals in the nation.
It additionally warned in opposition to the stereotyping of Nigerians, saying some components had been disregarding South African authorized processes and wrongfully generalising Nigerians in the nation.
The consulate referred to as on South African authorities to conduct a radical investigation and make sure that these accountable had been delivered to justice.
“No matter what the allegations may be, there are processes and steps to justice,” Ms Okey-Uche stated in the assertion, insisting that suspects should be given a good listening to in courtroom and that nobody ought to take the legislation into their very own fingers.
The consulate additionally urged Nigerians in South Africa to stay calm, law-abiding and security-conscious amid ongoing xenophobic and Afrophobic assaults and threats in opposition to foreigners.
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It prolonged its condolences to Mr Odueze’s household and guaranteed Nigerians that it will proceed to press for his or her welfare and truthful therapy in South Africa.
PREMIUM TIMES reviews that about 1,640 Nigerians have been evacuated from South Africa for the reason that latest wave of xenophobia started in April. A batch of 33 Nigerians was repatriated in August and one other 105 in September.
At least 5 Nigerians have been killed for the reason that newest spherical of violence started.
PREMIUM TIMES reported the latest incident in July. The sufferer, Chika Simon, died throughout an encounter with the South African Police Service (SAPS)
The Nigerian consulate stated he died beneath questionable circumstances.
This paper additionally reported earlier deaths. These are: Amaramiro Emmanuel, Ekpenyong Andrew, Emeka Iroegbu and Musa Joe.
The Nigerian authorities has demanded a radical investigation into the death of Nigerians killed in South Africa. The investigations into these circumstances are nonetheless pending, and no arrests have been made.
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