The Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg has announced the deaths of three Nigerians within four days in separate incidents in South Africa.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Consul-General, Amb. (Mrs.) Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, condemned the killings, noting that the deaths occurred between September 18 and 21, 2026.
According to Okey-Uche, a Nigerian national, Kenechukwu Christopher Igwemmadu, allegedly jumped to his death on September 18, 2026, while trying to escape police harassment and brutality at Kenlin Court on Douglas Street, Central Business District (CBD), Bloemfontein.
She also disclosed that Nigerian national, Olaniyi Olaleye Olatunde, was killed by an unidentified South African at Spanata Bar and Grills Night Club in Mamelodi East, Pretoria, on September 20, 2026.
Okey-Uche stated that the incident occurred when the deceased, a security guard engaged by the club, attempted to stop a South African customer from leaving the club with a cup belonging to the club.
She stressed that this resulted in an altercation, during which the South African pulled out his firearm and shot Olatunde in the lower part of his body, leading to serious injury and profuse loss of blood.
Upon noticing the grievous harm done, the shooter immediately fled the scene. However, on realising that his identity was known by many at the club, he later returned and allegedly threatened to kill any witnesses who dared to report the case or identify him to the police.
“Meanwhile, Olatunde had already been rushed to Mamelodi Hospital, where he eventually succumbed to the gunshot injury and was confirmed dead by doctors in the morning of September 21, 2026,” the statement said.
Okey-Uche also revealed that South African politician and investigative content creator, Xolani Khumalo, and his content creation team in Primrose, Ekurhuleni, were allegedly involved in the torture and death of another Nigerian national, Christian Hillary Nnaemeka, on September 21, 2026.
She stated that the incident occurred following an operation conducted by members of the Sizok’thola team led by Khumalo, when he approached Nnaemeka. The encounter allegedly led to assault, torture, and his eventual death.
The Consulate mentioned that despite not finding anything incriminating on Nnaemeka, the crew allegedly arrested, beat and tortured him before he attempted to escape from the team by jumping over a fence.
Thereafter, he collapsed from injuries sustained and exhaustion. He was rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The Consulate recalled that on February 9, 2026, another Nigerian national, Emeka Clement Uzor, was also shot dead by the same Xolani Khumalo reality television crew in Windsor East, Randburg.
It noted that no arrests had been made in connection with the incident and that Khumalo is currently running for election to become Mayor of Ekurhuleni.
Okey-Uche lamented that the continued reports of such incidents were deeply troubling and continued to raise questions about the safety of Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa.
She added that the recent deaths of the three Nigerians, coming in quick succession, also raised questions about what appeared to be a pattern of targeting Nigerians in South Africa.
The Consul-General called on relevant South African authorities to thoroughly investigate the deaths and bring the perpetrators of the alleged acts to justice.
She maintained that where allegations exist, regardless of their nature, there are established processes and steps to justice, stressing that all individuals should be presumed innocent and granted a fair hearing in a court of law.
Okey-Uche further urged Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm, law-abiding, and security-conscious amid what she described as ongoing xenophobic and afrophobic attacks, threats of attacks, general insecurity, and ill-treatment of vulnerable Black African foreigners in the country, especially Nigerians.
The Consulate extended its condolences to the families of the three deceased Nigerians.
It reiterated its commitment to fulfilling its mandate of overseeing the welfare and fair treatment of Nigerians in South Africa.
