The Nigerian Consulate-General in Johannesburg has condemned the deaths of three Nigerians in separate incidents across South Africa between September 18 and 21, 2026.
The Consul-General, Amb. Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, saying the incidents had raised fresh concerns over the safety of Nigerians and other foreigners in the country.
The three victims were identified as Kenechukwu Christopher Igwemmadú, Olaniyi Olaleye Olatunde and Christian Hillary Nnaemeka.
According to the statement, Igwemmadú allegedly jumped to his death on September 18 while attempting to escape police harassment and brutality at Kenlin Court on Douglas Street, Central Business District, Bloemfontein.
The Consulate said, “On 18th September 2026, a Nigerian national, Kenechukwu Christopher IGWEMMADU, allegedly jumped to his death while trying to escape police harassment and brutality at Kenlin Court on Douglas street, Central Business District (CBD), Bloemfontein.”
Two days later, Olatunde was shot at Spanata Bar and Grills Night Club in Mamelodi East, Pretoria.
The statement said Olatunde, who worked as a security guard at the club, attempted to stop a South African customer from leaving the premises with a cup belonging to the club.
It said, “This resulted in an altercation and the South African pulled out his firearm and shot OLATUNDE in his lower body part, leading to a serious injury and profuse loss of blood.”
The Consulate said the shooter fled after the incident but later returned to the club after realising that his identity was known by several witnesses.
It added, “He later returned to the Club and threatened to also kill any witnesses who dares to report the case and identify him to the Police.”
The statement said Olatunde was rushed to Mamelodi Hospital, where he eventually died from the gunshot injury and was confirmed dead by doctors on the morning of September 21.
The third victim, Nnaemeka, was allegedly tortured and killed on September 21 by South African politician and investigative content creator, Xolani Khumalo, and members of his content creation team in Primrose, Ekurhuleni.
The Consulate said the incident occurred during an operation conducted by members of the Sizok’thola team led by Khumalo.
According to the statement, “The encounter allegedly led to assault, torture and death.”
It further alleged that the team arrested, beat and tortured Nnaemeka despite not finding anything incriminating on him.
The statement read, “According to the account, despite not finding anything incriminating on the deceased, the crew arrested, beat and tortured him before he eventually attempted to escape from the team by jumping over a fence.”
It said Nnaemeka subsequently collapsed from injuries and exhaustion and was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The Consulate also recalled the death of another Nigerian, Emeka Clement Uzor, who it said was shot dead by Khumalo’s reality television crew in Windsor East, Randburg, on February 9, 2026.
It said, “Yet, no arrests have been made and Xolani KHUMALO is currently running for election to become the Mayor of Ekurhuleni.”
The Consulate said the latest deaths were “deeply troubling” and raised questions about the safety of Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa.
It said, “The recent deaths of the three (3) Nigerians, coming in quick succession, also raises questions about what seems to be a pattern of targeting Nigerians in South Africa.”
The Consulate called on South African authorities to investigate the deaths and prosecute those responsible.
It said, “We continue to call on relevant South African authorities to investigate the deaths thoroughly and bring the perpetrators of the gruesome acts to justice.”
The Consulate also stressed that allegations of wrongdoing should not be used to justify extrajudicial action.
Its statement read, “Our position remains that NIGERIAN AND ALL LIVES MATTER.”
It added, “In cases where allegations may exists, no matter what the allegations may be, there are processes and steps to justice. All should be presumed innocent and granted fair hearing in a court of law. No one should take laws into their own hands.”
The Consulate further appealed to Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm and security-conscious.
It said, “We appeal to our nationals to remain calm, law-abiding and security conscious in the midst of the ongoing xenophobic/afrophobic attacks, threats of attacks, general insecurity and ill-treatment being meted out to many vulnerable black African foreigners in South Africa, especially Nigerians.”
The development was also shared by Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, who said the latest deaths had brought the number of Nigerians killed in South Africa in 2026 to 12.
Fani-Kayode said, “It has been brought to my attention by the Nigerian Consul in Johannesburg that 3 more Nigerians have been murdered in three separate incidents in South Africa in the space of 4 days this month alone.”
He added, “This brings the total number of Nigerians murdered in South Africa this year alone to 12 whilst 112 have been murdered since 2022 with 32 of the victims being killed by members of the South African security forces.”
Fani-Kayode further claimed that none of those responsible had been brought to justice or convicted.
He said, “Not one person has been brought to justice or convicted for ANY of these crimes.”
The High Commissioner condemned the killings and appealed to the South African authorities to protect Nigerians and prosecute those responsible.
He said, “I condemn these killings and once again I appeal to the South African authorities to bring those that are responsible for them to justice and to protect our people.”
The Consulate-General extended its condolences to the families of the three deceased Nigerians, saying it remained committed to protecting the welfare and fair treatment of Nigerians in South Africa.
It said, “While we pray for their souls to rest in peace, we are poised to continue to fulfil our mandate of overseeing the welfare and fair treatment of all Nigerians in the country.”
