South African authorities are investigating the death of a 42-year-old Nigerian man who collapsed while being arrested by police in Cape Town.
Preliminary post-mortem findings showed that Ibeh Chika Simon sustained multiple bruises and abrasions to his back and chest, according to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.
Western Cape police said officers were searching a property on Thursday when they discovered an unlicensed firearm and suspected drugs. Simon allegedly became unwell and collapsed as officers attempted to arrest him.
Paramedics were called, but he was declared dead at the scene.
Nigeria’s consul general in Johannesburg, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, condemned the circumstances surrounding Simon’s death and called for a transparent investigation.
She said Nigeria was deeply concerned by what it described as an alarming pattern of unresolved deaths and alleged police misconduct involving foreign nationals in South Africa.
Okey-Uche also alleged that another Nigerian, Egwabor Patrick Chuks, was shot and seriously injured during the same police operation. Western Cape police said they had no record of the reported shooting.
South Africa’s Independent Police Investigative Directorate has opened an investigation into Simon’s death.
Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi confirmed that the incident was being investigated and said some foreign nationals had resisted officers during the operation.
Simon’s death follows a separate case involving Nigerian national Emeka Charles Iroegbu, who reportedly died during an encounter with South African police in June. That case is also under investigation.
The incidents come amid growing diplomatic concern over alleged violence and misconduct targeting African migrants in South Africa.
Nigeria and Ghana recently raised the issue at an Ecowas summit, where West African leaders urged South African authorities to protect foreign nationals and investigate reported attacks.
Two Ghanaian nationals have also petitioned the International Criminal Court to investigate alleged systematic attacks against migrants in South Africa. The South African government rejected the petition, saying it did not meet the court’s legal threshold and that domestic courts were capable of handling such cases.
The South African government has repeatedly condemned xenophobia and discrimination, while President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged citizens not to take the law into their own hands.
