South African authorities have opened an investigation into the death of a Nigerian national, Ibeh Chika Simon, who died during a police arrest in Cape Town.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), the agency responsible for investigating police conduct, said preliminary post-mortem findings showed that the 42-year-old sustained multiple bruises and abrasions to his back and chest.
According to the Western Cape Police, officers were conducting a search at a residence in Cape Town when they recovered an unlicensed firearm and suspected drugs. Police said Simon became unwell and collapsed while officers were placing him under arrest. Emergency medical personnel responded to the scene but pronounced him dead.
Police spokesperson Col. Andre Traut confirmed the sequence of events, saying the arrest followed the recovery of the firearm and suspected narcotics.
The incident has prompted concern from Nigerian officials. Nigeria's Consul General in Johannesburg, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, described the circumstances surrounding Simon's death as troubling and called for a transparent investigation.
Okey-Uche also alleged a pattern of unresolved cases involving alleged police misconduct against foreign nationals in South Africa, stressing that every suspect is entitled to due process. She further claimed that another Nigerian, Egwabor Patrick Chuks, was shot during the same operation and remains hospitalized with serious injuries. However, the Western Cape Police said they had no record of such an incident.
Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also expressed concern over Simon's death. Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa described the incident as unfortunate and said Nigerian authorities were closely monitoring the investigation.
IPID confirmed it has launched an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death. South Africa's Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration also said it is reviewing the matter.
Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, who chairs the committee, said some foreign nationals resisted law enforcement officers during the Cape Town operation.
Simon is the second Nigerian to die during a police operation in South Africa in recent months. In June, Nigerian authorities reported the death of Emeka Charles Iroegbu under similar circumstances. That case also remains under investigation by IPID.
The latest incident comes amid ongoing diplomatic concerns over the treatment of African migrants in South Africa. Nigeria and Ghana have raised concerns about reported xenophobic attacks on their citizens, prompting the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to urge South African authorities to ensure the safety and protection of foreign nationals.
The South African government has repeatedly rejected allegations of promoting xenophobia, maintaining that it opposes racism, discrimination and intolerance in all forms. President Cyril Ramaphosa has also urged citizens to refrain from violence and allow the rule of law to prevail.
