Outrage grows as South Africa keeps silent over killings of two Nigerians

Nigerians have expressed outrage over the deaths of two nationals in South Africa, amid renewed concerns about xenophobia, police brutality and the alleged failure of authorities to prosecute those responsible for attacks on Nigerians.

The victims, identified as Bishop Michael Fakunle and James Nwankwo, reportedly died in separate incidents in Johannesburg on September 4 and 5.

Fakunle, an indigene of Iye in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, was allegedly shot dead by unidentified persons at his residence after reportedly receiving several threats.

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Nwankwo was said to have died the following day after allegedly being subjected to “gruesome interrogation techniques” by officers of the South African Police Service.

Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, described the deaths as part of a disturbing pattern, claiming that Fakunle and Nwankwo were the seventh and eighth Nigerians allegedly murdered in the country this year.

The former Minister of Aviation further alleged that four of the eight victims were killed by South African police officers.

“Bishop Fakunle and Mr Nwankwo are the 7th and 8th Nigerians to have been murdered in South Africa this year alone,” Fani-Kayode said.

“Outside of that, over 100 Nigerian nationals have been murdered in South Africa between 2022 and today and over 30 of them were killed by officers of the South African Police Service and South African Defence Force.”

He expressed concern that no arrests or prosecutions had been recorded in connection with the alleged killings.

“What is most disturbing is the fact that despite our constant expressions of concern about this disturbing state of affairs, not one person has been arrested, detained, prosecuted or brought to justice for any of these heinous crimes,” he added.

Fani-Kayode also urged the South African Government to protect Nigerians from organisations he described as “racist, xenophobic and Afrophobic,” declaring that Nigeria’s patience was running thin.

The National Assembly responded to the development on Friday by suspending all official visits to South Africa. It also directed its members and officials to boycott legislative activities hosted or organised by South African authorities until further notice.

South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, however, said his government had not received official communication about the decision.

In an interview with SABC News, Lamola said the boycott, at that stage, had not affected bilateral relations between Nigeria and South Africa.

“We have not received any official communication in that regard, but our understanding is that it is the National Assembly of Nigeria, and it does not, at this stage, affect the bilateral relations between the two countries,” he said.

“It will be very unfortunate if that will be because these are the two big giants of the African continent that need to work together.”

Lamola said South Africa remained ready to engage with Nigeria on issues affecting both countries. He added that Nigeria had submitted a list of about 100 Nigerians reportedly killed in South Africa, which the authorities had verified.

According to him, South Africa was open to discussions with the Nigerian Government on the circumstances and causes of the deaths.

However, the South African Consul-General in Lagos, Prof Bobby Moroe, declined to comment directly on the latest incidents when contacted.

Moroe said a response would be provided by the South African Government headquarters in Pretoria, promising to communicate it to the correspondent. No response had been received as of Sunday night.

The killings have also triggered strong reactions on social media, with some Nigerians demanding tougher diplomatic measures, while others warned against directing anger at South Africans generally.

Chibuzor Anucha, writing on X as @royalchi, described Fakunle’s death as “heartbreaking and deeply disturbing” and called for a thorough investigation.

James Agberebi, who uses the handle @jaymeshelsing, wrote, “With all the senseless killings in that useless country, yet some Nigerians still refused to leave.”

Musan Zariya, @Musa95Aliu, called for measures including the recall of Nigeria’s ambassador, nationalisation of South African assets and restrictions on capital inflows into the country.

Another user, Ibrahim James, @dazzlag_, said Nigeria could no longer respond to the alleged mistreatment of its citizens with “diplomatic niceties,” urging stronger measures and reciprocity.

Olatunji Azeez, @tj_attires, however, cautioned Nigerians against turning legitimate concerns over attacks into hatred for South Africans as a people.

“Behind every statistic is a Nigerian who left home looking for opportunities. Nigeria should protect its citizens wherever they are. But we also have to be careful not to turn legitimate concerns about attacks into hatred against an entire country or its people,” he said.

The President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, South Africa, Dr ABC Okokoh, said the killings were part of a longstanding concern for Nigerians living in the country.

Okokoh noted that violence was widespread in South Africa but alleged that Nigerians were particularly exposed to high-handed treatment by the police.

“The matter our new ambassador has identified has been the order of the day. The killings have been going on,” he said.

“It is not just that they are killing Nigerians alone; this is a country where there is a high level of violence, especially among different groups of people.

“The police here use high-handedness, especially on Nigerians. It is not new.”

He said several cases involving alleged killings of Nigerians by security personnel remained before the courts, but often failed to progress because investigations and prosecutions were being handled by state institutions.

Okokoh called for stronger legal and media support for victims’ families, saying sustained public attention could pressure the authorities to deliver justice.

The President of the Association of Yorubas in Diaspora, South Africa, Dr Olusola Agbeniyi, also criticised what he described as inadequate coverage of attacks against Nigerians by South African media.

Agbeniyi alleged that local media often reported Nigerians when they were accused of crimes but paid little attention when Nigerians became victims of violence.

“What gives me concern regarding the welfare matters about Nigerians in South Africa is that we hardly hear news about the killings of Nigerians in South Africa on the local media,” he said.

“The only news we hear is Nigerians selling drugs or Nigerians who are arrested for being members of Black Axe and so on. When something bad happens to Nigerians in South Africa, the story is not available or not reported by the South African media.”

On the reported September 30 ultimatum issued to African nationals, Agbeniyi urged the South African Government to act against groups promoting xenophobia.

He said immigration enforcement was the responsibility of the government and that private groups had no constitutional authority to enforce immigration laws.

The President-General of the Nigerian Union South Africa, Dr Smart Nwobi, similarly demanded immediate and transparent investigations into the deaths.

Nwobi said anyone found culpable, whether a civilian, police officer or other security official, should face prosecution.

“Let me be clear: NUSA will not remain silent while Nigerian lives are lost and justice is delayed or denied,” he said.

“We respect the sovereignty of South Africa and remain committed to constructive relations between our two nations. However, friendship and diplomatic relations cannot become an excuse for silence in the face of injustice.”

Nwobi urged the South African Government to provide concrete action rather than statements of sympathy, stressing that Nigerian nationals were entitled to protection under the country’s laws.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has demanded justice for Fakunle and Nwankwo.

In a statement, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, said the government was shocked by the deaths and called on the relevant South African authorities to commence immediate and transparent investigations.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria calls on the relevant South African authorities to immediately commence thorough and transparent investigations into the circumstances surrounding the two killings with a view to ensuring that those responsible for the murder are identified and brought to justice in accordance with the law,” Adeniyi said.

“Nigeria expects that this matter would be accorded the attention and urgency required,” he added.