South African police deny claims linking Nigerian's death in custody to anti-immigrant protests

Africa, Crime Diary

PRETORIA, South Africa (NPA) — The South African Police Service (SAPS) has dismissed social media reports linking the death of a Nigerian national in police custody to anti-illegal immigration protests, describing the claims as false and misleading.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the police said the Nigerian national was arrested on June 28 by members of the SAPS Tshwane Drugs Team following an intelligence-led operation at his apartment in the Sunnyside policing precinct.

According to the statement, the suspect was arrested for alleged possession of illegal drugs.

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The police said the suspect was handcuffed during the arrest but collapsed while being escorted into custody.

“Members immediately called for medical assistance. Paramedics attended the scene and declared him dead,” the statement said.

The SAPS added that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) was immediately notified because the death occurred while the suspect was in police custody.

The police said an inquest docket and a case of alleged possession of drugs had been opened, while the substances recovered from the apartment were secured as evidence.

According to the statement, detectives from the SAPS and investigators from the IPID attended the post-mortem examination, after which it was agreed that police would continue the investigation pending the outcome of the autopsy.

The SAPS rejected reports suggesting the incident was connected to anti-illegal immigration protests.

“SAPS strongly rejects attempts to link this incident to anti-illegal immigrants’ protests. Such claims are baseless and an attempt to mislead the public,” the statement said.