South African authorities have launched an investigation into the death of a Nigerian man who collapsed during a police arrest in Cape Town last week, a case that has renewed scrutiny of the country’s treatment of foreign nationals.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate confirmed it is examining the circumstances surrounding the death of Ibeh Chika Simon after a post‑mortem found multiple bruises and abrasions on his back and chest.
Simon died at the scene after officers conducting a search at a home in the area allegedly found an unlicensed firearm and suspected drugs.
As police moved to arrest him, he became unwell and collapsed, according to Western Cape authorities. Paramedics declared him dead shortly afterwards.
The incident has deepened tensions between South Africa and Nigeria, coming just weeks after another Nigerian national died under similar circumstances.
Nigeria’s consul general in Johannesburg, Ninikanwa Okey‑Uche condemned Simon’s death and called for a transparent investigation, saying the case fits into what she described as an “alarming pattern of unresolved extrajudicial killings/deaths and unacceptable misconduct against foreign nationals”.
She also cited reports that another Nigerian man, Egwabor Patrick Chuks, had allegedly been shot during the same operation and was in hospital with serious injuries although police said they had no record of such an incident.
Simon’s death comes against the backdrop of long‑standing concerns over xenophobic violence in South Africa where migrants from other African countries have periodically faced attacks, displacement and accusations of criminality.
JN/APA