South Africa investigates death of Nigerian who collapsed during arrest

South Africa’s authorities are examining the death of a Nigerian national, Ibeh Chika Simon, who collapsed during a police arrest in Cape Town last week. According to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), the independent body overseeing police conduct, Simon sustained multiple bruises and abrasions on his back and chest. His death has sparked diplomatic concerns between South Africa and Nigeria, with Nigerian diplomats expressing outrage over the incident. Simon died while being placed under arrest, according to Western Cape police. Officers were conducting a search at a residence in the area when they discovered an unlicensed firearm and what appeared to be drugs. As they attempted to detain Simon, he reportedly became unwell and collapsed. Paramedics arrived at the scene and declared him dead. The police spokesperson, Colonel Andre Traut, stated that the operation was part of a broader effort to address illegal activities in the community. Nigeria’s consul general in Johannesburg, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, condemned the incident, calling it “egregious police tactics” that resulted in Simon’s death. She accused South African authorities of a “pattern of unresolved extrajudicial killings and unacceptable misconduct against foreign nationals.” Okey-Uche emphasized that suspects must receive due process through the judicial system, stating that no authority should operate above the law. She also mentioned reports that another Nigerian, Egwabor Patrick Chuks, was shot during the same operation and remained hospitalized with severe injuries. However, Western Cape police denied knowledge of such an incident, noting there was “no record of the event.” The Nigerian foreign ministry spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, described the incident as “a very unfortunate situation,” underscoring the gravity of the case. Meanwhile, South Africa’s Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration confirmed that the matter is under investigation. Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, who leads the committee, noted that during the police operation, some foreign nationals had resisted law enforcement actions. This incident follows a previous fatality involving another Nigerian, Emeka Charles Iroegbu, who died in June under similar circumstances. Ipid is also investigating Iroegbu’s death, which has further strained relations between the two nations. Diplomatic tensions have escalated beyond Nigeria, with Ghana also raising concerns over alleged attacks on its citizens in South Africa. Ghana was among the first countries to repatriate citizens from South Africa during the recent wave of anti-migrant protests. Two Ghanaian nationals have filed a petition with the International Criminal Court (ICC) alleging a “pattern of widespread and systematic attacks” against migrants in South Africa. The petition argues that the violence could constitute crimes against humanity. The South African government has dismissed the petition as “opportunistic,” asserting that it fails to meet the ICC’s legal standards and that domestic courts can handle such matters. The ICC has yet to respond to the request. Regional leaders from the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) recently condemned reported attacks on African migrants in South Africa. Nigeria and Ghana brought these issues to light during a summit in Sierra Leone, urging South African authorities to take swift action to safeguard foreign nationals. South Africa has categorically rejected xenophobia, racism, homophobia, and intolerance, though critics argue that the rhetoric has not translated into meaningful change on the ground.