Alleged Torture By Police In South Africa Kills Nigerian, As Death Toll Rises

The Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg has confirmed the death of two more Nigerians in South Africa, as violent attacks and harassment of black foreigners escalate across the country.

The victims, identified as Emeka Iroegbu and Musa Joe, were both killed on Sunday, 28 June, in separate incidents in Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces.

According to the consulate’s statement, Mr Joe was killed by “suspected criminals” in Witbank, Mpumalanga province.

Mr Iroegbu was allegedly tortured to death by officers of the Tshwane Metro Police in Sunnyside, a suburb of Pretoria.

The consulate said the victim was subjected to “gruesome torture techniques” while in custody, which led to his death.

The latest killings bring to four the number of Nigerians confirmed murdered in South Africa since the current wave of xenophobic attacks began in April.

The deaths mirror those of two other Nigerians killed earlier this year: Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew.

Both men were arrested and allegedly beaten to death by personnel of the South African National Defence Force in Port Elizabeth.

Mr Andrew’s body was found days after his arrest on 19 April in the Booysens area of Pretoria.

He was picked up following an alleged altercation with Tshwane Metro Police officers. His corpse was later discovered at the Pretoria Central Mortuary.