Nigeria Condemns South Africa After 2 Nationals Are Killed as Pretoria Rejects Compensation
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jul 5
Nigeria Condemns South Africa After 2 Nationals Are Killed as Pretoria Rejects Compensation
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jul 5
Summary
Nigeria said two of its citizens were killed in South Africa on June 28 and condemned a South African minister's remarks after Pretoria rejected compensation demands.
Abuja said Emeka Charles Iroegbu was killed in Pretoria by Tshwane Metro police using "gruesome interrogation techniques," while shop owner Musa Yunana Joe was attacked and killed outside his store in eMalahleni.
Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said South Africa would not compensate Nigerians who left and suggested they sell registered property, then drew Nigeria's rebuke for comments about locating "drug dens of Nigerians," which Abuja called hate speech.
The dispute comes as anti-migrant sentiment rises in South Africa, where groups had given undocumented foreigners a June 30 deadline to leave and about 25,000 African migrants — including roughly 700 Nigerians — have been repatriated.
South Africa's unemployment rate above 30% has fueled pressure on migrants, even as the continent's most developed economy continues to attract workers from poorer neighboring countries.