The Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg has called for a thorough investigation into the death of Nigerian national Odueze Chimezie Odueze, who allegedly died following torture by South African police officers in Cape Town.
Odueze died on October 9 in the Parklands area of Cape Town, according to a press statement issued on Tuesday by the Consul General, Ambassador Ninikanwa O. Okey-Uche.
The Consulate said reports of the alleged torture and brutality against Odueze before his death had caused shock and pain to his family, the Nigerian community and Nigeria’s diplomatic missions in South Africa.
According to the statement, Odueze was arrested at a shopping centre on suspicion of drug possession and taken to his residence for a search.
The Consulate alleged that no drugs were found at the residence, but Odueze was nevertheless subjected to torture that led to his death.
Describing the incident as “one too many”, the mission said recurring reports of the deaths of Nigerians in alleged extrajudicial killings in South Africa raised serious concerns about the safety of Nigerians and other foreign nationals in the country.
It also warned against what it described as the stereotyping of Nigerians, saying allegations against individuals should not be used to generalise about Nigerians living in South Africa.
The Consulate urged South African authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding Odueze’s death and prosecute anyone found responsible.
“Our position remains that no matter what the allegations may be, there are processes and steps to justice. All should be granted fair hearing in a court of law and no one should take laws into their own hands,” the statement said.
The mission also appealed to Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm, law-abiding and security-conscious amid reported xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks and threats against foreigners.
It extended its condolences to Odueze’s family and pledged to continue seeking the protection and fair treatment of Nigerians in the country.
The statement did not indicate whether South African authorities had opened an investigation into Odueze’s death or whether any officers had been arrested in connection with the incident.
