This was revealed by Doris Ikeri Solarin, President of the Nigerian Union of South Africa, during an interview with Voice of Africa, while discussing the actions taken thus far by Nigerian diplomats in the nation to cease the brutality.
The Nigerian community in South Africa has accused the country's police service of brutalising and killing its members without legal basis.
This was revealed by Doris Ikeri Solarin, President of the Nigerian Union of South Africa, during an interview with Voice of Africa, while discussing the actions taken thus far by Nigerian diplomats in the nation to cease the brutality.
Doris said the union together with Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner in South Africa met with the region police commander recently over the issue.
The NUSA president said, “So it was a very big meeting with the regional police commander. We had robust discussions – what led to the escalation and arrest of eight nationals that were accused by the SAPS (South African Police Service).”
When asked if there was enough evidence to prove the police brutality against fellow Nigerians living in South Africa, Doris said, “There are pictures and videos, and there are also footage in some cases and even before commencing the attacks, some of these police officers move in the company of ambulances which means this is a premeditated attempt to inflict injuries on members of the public being attacked.
“So I don’t think it is proper and it’s criminal to assault the suspects. Many of these people are in the hospital. So there are injuries that they are receiving treatment for while others are in custody. This is evidence to prove that the police brutality is actually ongoing.
“We contacted the consulate and the High Commissioners. In fact, this meeting was orchestrated by the Acting High Commissioner, who was on the trip with us; we went there.
“He was able to elaborate on most of the instances that I’ve just mentioned. Currently, there is a serious concern about this increased police brutality because, from the meeting with the regional commander of police of the North and another report reaching us that another Nigerian was attacked in his residence.
“He was raided by Southern African police and murdered in his residence.”
On April 19, SaharaReporters reported that no fewer than eight Nigerian nationals had been arrested over an alleged attack on the police in Kimberley, the capital city of the Northern Cape province of South Africa.
It was claimed that the Nigerians also broke windows at a police station and damaged police vehicles.
At the time of the arrest on Thursday evening, 18 April, police personnel were tracking one of the Nigerian nationals reportedly in possession of drugs, said Col Cherelle Ehlers, police spokesperson.
While searching, a large group of Nigerians reportedly started attacking police members. Police fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.
One suspect was arrested for illegal possession of drugs, and three were arrested for public violence and detained at the Kimberley Police Station.
During the processing of information, the suspects allegedly broke windows at the station and additional charges of malicious property damage were added.
Another group of Nigerians later approached the police station and threatened to retaliate.
The operational commander warned the group to disperse. However, upon dispersing, the group reportedly damaged police vehicles.
Another four suspects were arrested for malicious property damage. The Northern Cape provincial commissioner, Lt. Gen. Koliswa Otola, condemned the behaviour and stated that those who prevent police from exercising their duties will be dealt with harshly.
“We will not allow such lawless behaviour. We are processing the details of the suspects and working with the Department of Home Affairs to determine if they are legally or illegally in the country. Police will continue to stamp the authority of the state in the Northern Cape,” she said.
In January, SaharaReporters reported that NUSA accused the immigration section of the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg, headed by Mr Shaibu Sule Odoma, and others of corruption and extortion.
The union in a letter dated December 21, 2023 and addressed to the Consul General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Johannesburg - Gauteng, South Africa, Andrew Idi, said it was taking more than two months between application and collection of E-passport from the Consulate.
They noted that anyone ready to offer a bribe could do his biometric capturing and collect his passport the same day.
The union in the letter signed by its President, Ikeri-Solarin and Secretary General, Okeke Somadina Christian, said, “We expected the authorities to have done something because it is public knowledge, and nobody can pretend not to be aware.
“Right now, it takes more than two (2) months between application and collection of E-passport from the Consulate.”