Following allegations by the Federal Government, South African police have said the death of a Nigerian man in custody late last month had nothing to do with a recent surge in anti-migrant violence, maintaining that he collapsed after being arrested for drug possession.
The clarification follows allegations by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemning the killing of two Nigerian nationals in South Africa amid recent anti-foreigner protests and warning that it could activate unspecified measures if the attacks and the targeting of Nigerians continue.
In a statement issued by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the victims were identified as Emeka Charles Iroegbu and Musa Yunana Joe.
According to the statement, Iroegbu was allegedly killed by Tshwane Metro Police officers on June 28, 2026, in Sunnyside, Pretoria, during what it described as the use of gruesome interrogation techniques, while Yunana Joe, popularly known as Big Joe, was reportedly shot dead in front of his shop on the same day in Witbank, Mpumalanga.
However, South African police, in a statement issued on Tuesday, rejected attempts to link Iroegbu’s death to the recent anti-illegal immigrant protests.
The police spokesperson said a police drugs team had arrested the Nigerian at his apartment during an intelligence-driven operation, adding that drugs were recovered from the premises and that the man collapsed while being taken into custody at a police station in Pretoria.
According to the spokesperson, paramedics were called to the scene and later declared the man dead.
The spokesperson added that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), South Africa’s police watchdog, had been notified and would investigate the incident.
The spokesperson also said the South African government had urged the Nigerian authorities to provide any evidence they might have regarding the man’s death but did not comment directly on the specific allegations made by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Anti-migrant protests in South Africa over the past few months have largely been peaceful but have at times turned violent, with attacks on foreign nationals and the looting of foreign-owned shops.
Rights groups say foreigners are increasingly being used as scapegoats for deep-rooted problems such as crime and unemployment.