South African police said on Tuesday the death of a Nigerian man in custody late in June had nothing to do with a surge in anti-migrant sentiment and that he collapsed after being arrested for drug possession.
Nigeria’s foreign ministry alleged on Sunday that the man had died during an interrogation by South African police two days before nationwide rallies against undocumented migrants. Moreover, it threatened unspecified action if there were more attacks on its citizens.
“The South African Police Service strongly rejects attempts to link this incident to anti-illegal immigrant protests,” a police spokesperson said in a statement.
Collapsed while being taken to custody
The spokesperson said a police drugs team had arrested the Nigerian at his apartment in an intelligence-driven operation. Drugs were found at the scene. The man collapsed while being taken into custody in a Pretoria police station, the spokesperson added.
Paramedics were called and declared him dead, and a police watchdog was notified and will investigate the incident, the spokesperson said.
South Africa’s foreign ministry has said Nigeria’s government should send in any evidence it has about the man’s death. However, it has not commented on the specific allegations made by its Nigerian counterpart.
The anti-migrant protests over the past few months have been mostly peaceful but at times turned violent, with attacks on foreign nationals and looting of foreign-owned shops.
Rights groups say foreigners are being used as scapegoats for deep-rooted problems like crime and unemployment.
ALSO READ: Govt vows crackdown on illegal migration, corurption and human trafficking after nationwide protests
- A Nigerian man died in South African police custody after collapsing during an arrest for drug possession, according to South African police.
- Nigeria's foreign ministry claimed the man died during police interrogation two days before anti-migrant rallies and threatened action if more attacks occur.
- South African police denied any link between the death and anti-immigrant protests, confirming drugs were found during an intelligence-driven arrest operation.
- A police watchdog has been notified to investigate the death, while South Africa’s foreign ministry asked Nigeria to provide evidence to support its claims.
- Anti-migrant protests in South Africa have mostly been peaceful but sometimes violent, with foreigners scapegoated for issues like crime and unemployment.
