South African police have confirmed a Nigerian man died after collapsing during his arrest in Bellville, sparking an independent investigation amid ongoing xenophobic tensions in the country.
Nigerian Dies In SA Police Custody
South African authorities have opened an investigation into the death of Nigerian national Chika Ibe, claiming he became unwell and died while officers were arresting him, Peoples Gazette reports.
The Western Cape Police said in a Monday statement that an independent probe had been initiated following the 42-year-old’s death during a police operation in Bellville last Thursday, July 23. The case is now with the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), standard procedure for incidents of this nature.
According to police, Ibe “allegedly became unwell and collapsed” as he was being placed under arrest. Officers said they immediately called for emergency medical assistance, and paramedics attempted to resuscitate him, but he was declared dead at the scene.
The arrest was part of a Public Order Police Lockdown III Operation, carried out after officers received information about an unlicensed firearm, ammunition, and drugs allegedly kept at a residence in Parksig Villas, Bellville. After being granted permission to search the premises, police recovered an unlicensed firearm with ammunition, 258 Mandrax tablets, and a quantity of suspected crystal methamphetamine.
Ibe’s death comes amid a wave of xenophobic violence in South Africa that has forced many African nationals to flee for their safety, Peoples Gazette had earlier reported.
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