3 Nigerians killed over alleged theft, drug links in South Africa

Three Nigerian citizens in South Africa have been killed following allegations of theft and drug dealings.

This was made known in a statement by the Nigeria Union South Africa as the group reiterated its call on the South African and Nigerian governments to stop extra-judicial killings in that country, Nigeriabroad reports.

The NUSA president in Pretoria, Collins Mgbo, said two Nigerians were on Friday, February 11, 2022, killed as South Africans attacked them over an alleged drug deal.

“Following the killing of two Nigerians as South Africans attacked foreign nationals on Friday, we call on the governments of both countries to stop extra-judicial killings in South Africa.

“Two of our members were killed in Vereeniging, near Johannesburg, by members of the community at a Taxi Rank; the people had alleged the foreigners were involved in drug dealings.

“Nigeria Union condemns unequivocally any form of criminal activity by Nigerians in South Africa but calls on the governments, especially the Consul General of Nigeria to South Africa, to intervene in the matter.

“We do not condone crime but justice must be served by the court of law should anyone be found guilty of any criminal act,” Mgbo said.

According to him, the location Vereeniging had become one of the most dangerous and unsafe places in the Vaal Triangle and had become notorious for drug dealing and robbery.

He said for years the community’s cry had fallen on deaf ears, about foreign nationals that flood the area selling drugs.

“Yesterday, Vereeniging came to a standstill as taxi drivers closed Voortrekker and allegedly took matters into their own hands, by attacking foreign nationals believed to be drug dealers and beating two of them to death,” he said.

Mgbo disclosed that when the union contacted the police personnel, Sgt. Nombulelo Mohlakwana, the latter confirmed the two deaths.

“When police officers arrived at the Vereeniging taxi rank, we found a Nigerian citizen dead and two males badly assaulted. The two were transferred to Kopanong hospital where one of them later passed on.

“We have no proof that it is taxi drivers who did that, but it happened at Vereeniging taxi rank,’’ he quoted Mohlakwana as saying.

He added that the police officer informed the union that the case was already being investigated and urged anyone with relevant information to contact the police.

Meanwhile, another Nigerian identified as Nicholas was attacked by a South African gang for allegedly buying a stolen laptop.

He was beaten alongside his friends who they believed was an accomplice, while the South African criminal who stole the laptop and sold it to Nicholas was left unharmed.

The NUSA president said Nicholas was now battling for his life in the Intensive Care Unit at Kimberly Hospital.

Meanwhile, Abdulmalik Ahmed, Consul-General of Nigeria to South Africa, confirmed the sad incident.

“A Nigerian died after being mobbed by the taxi rank for receiving a stolen mobile phone.

“One of his two other South African accomplices also succumbed to his injuries. The police are on top of the matter,” Ahmed said.