Again, two Nigerians Killed in Xenophobic Crisis in South Africa

The ministry of foreign affairs says two Nigerians have been killed in xenophobic attacks against foreigners in South Africa.

In a statement issued on Friday, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, the ministry spokesperson, said the two Nigerians identified as Taiwo Fakunle and James Nwankwo were killed in separate incidents on September 4 and 5, respectively.

Adeniyi said Fakunle was murdered at his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, while Nwankwo was reportedly killed during “gruesome interrogation techniques” by officers of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Somerset, Cape Town.

The latest deaths come two months after two Nigerians were killed amid renewed anti-migrant tensions in South Africa.

In recent months, there have been attacks and destruction of property targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.

According to the ministry, recent killings raise questions about the commitment of South African authorities to curbing targeted attacks against foreigners.

The ministry expressed concern over the alleged involvement of law enforcement officers and their use of “unacceptable interrogation techniques”, which, it said, have frequently resulted in the deaths of foreigners.

The ministry also raised concerns about South Africa’s refusal to sign a memorandum of understanding to establish an early warning mechanism agreed upon during bilateral discussions between the two countries.

The federal government called on South African authorities to conduct thorough and transparent investigations into the circumstances surrounding the two deaths and ensure that those responsible are identified and brought to justice.

The ministry said it is actively considering “other concrete measures” to secure South Africa’s cooperation following previous diplomatic efforts.

The measures include taking the recurring waves of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans to the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS and the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.

On Friday, the national assembly suspended all legislative engagements with South Africa over the continued xenophobic attacks on Nigerians.