The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says two Nigerians have been killed in xenophobic attacks against foreigners in South Africa.
In a statement issued on Friday, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, the
ministry spokesperson, said the two Nigerians identified as Taiwo Fakunle and
James Nwankwo were killed in separate incidents on September 4 and 5,
respectively.
Adeniyi said Fakunle was murdered at his residence in
Kensington, Johannesburg, while Nwankwo was reportedly killed during “gruesome
interrogation techniques” by officers of the South African Police Service
(SAPS) in Somerset, Cape Town.
The latest deaths come two months after two Nigerians were
killed amid renewed anti-migrant tensions in South Africa.
In recent months, there have been attacks and destruction of
property targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
According to the ministry, recent killings raise questions
about the commitment of South African authorities to curbing targeted attacks
against foreigners.
The ministry expressed concern over the alleged involvement
of law enforcement officers and their use of “unacceptable interrogation
techniques”, which, it said, have frequently resulted in the deaths of
foreigners.
The ministry also raised concerns about South Africa’s
refusal to sign a memorandum of understanding to establish an early warning
mechanism agreed upon during bilateral discussions between the two countries.
The federal government called on South African authorities
to conduct thorough and transparent investigations into the circumstances
surrounding the two deaths and ensure that those responsible are identified and
brought to justice.
The ministry said it is actively considering “other concrete
measures” to secure South Africa’s cooperation following previous diplomatic
efforts.
The measures include taking the recurring waves of
xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans to the
Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS and the Assembly of Heads
of State and Government of the African Union.
On Friday, the national assembly suspended all legislative
engagements with South Africa over the continued xenophobic attacks on
Nigerians.
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