The Nigerian Consulate-General in Johannesburg has condemned the deaths of three Nigerians in separate incidents in South Africa between September 18 and 21, 2026, expressing concern over the safety of Nigerians and other foreign nationals in the country.
The Consul-General, Amb. Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, identifying the victims as Kenechukwu Christopher Igwemmadú, Olaniyi Olaleye Olatunde and Christian Hillary Nnaemeka.
According to the consulate, Igwemmadú died on September 18 after allegedly jumping from a building while attempting to escape what it described as police harassment and brutality at Kenlin Court on Douglas Street in Bloemfontein.
Two days later, Olatunde, a security guard, was shot at Spanata Bar and Grills Night Club in Mamelodi East, Pretoria. The consulate said the incident followed an altercation after Olatunde attempted to stop a South African customer from leaving the premises with a cup belonging to the club.
The alleged shooter reportedly fled the scene but later returned and threatened witnesses, according to the consulate. Olatunde was taken to Mamelodi Hospital, where he died from his injuries and was pronounced dead on the morning of September 21.
The third victim, Nnaemeka, allegedly died after being assaulted during an operation by the Sizok’thola content-creation team led by South African politician and investigative content creator Xolani Khumalo in Primrose, Ekurhuleni. The consulate alleged that Nnaemeka was arrested, beaten and tortured despite the team reportedly finding nothing incriminating on him. He later collapsed after attempting to escape and was pronounced dead at a hospital.
The consulate also referred to the February 9 death of another Nigerian, Emeka Clement Uzor, who it said was shot by Khumalo’s reality television crew in Windsor East, Randburg. It called for the authorities to investigate the cases and prosecute anyone found responsible.
“The recent deaths of the three Nigerians, coming in quick succession, also raises questions about what seems to be a pattern of targeting Nigerians in South Africa,” the consulate said, while stressing that allegations of wrongdoing should not justify extrajudicial action.
Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, said the three deaths brought the number of Nigerians killed in South Africa in 2026 to 12. He also claimed that 112 Nigerians had been killed in the country since 2022, including 32 allegedly killed by members of the South African security forces.
The consulate urged South African authorities to thoroughly investigate the deaths and ensure that those responsible face justice. It also appealed to Nigerians in the country to remain calm, law-abiding and security-conscious amid what it described as ongoing threats, insecurity and ill-treatment of some African foreign nationals.
The consulate extended condolences to the families of the victims, saying it would continue to work to safeguard the welfare and fair treatment of Nigerians in South Africa.
