01/29/2013
SOUTH AFRICA TO INVESTIGATE THE KILLING OF A NIGERIAN
Abuja, Jan. 28, 2013. Out-going South African High Commissioner, Mr Kingsley Mamabolo has assured Nigerians that the South African government would look into the recent alleged killing of a Nigerian in South African. Mamabolo made the promise in his office on Monday in Abuja when Rep. Abike Dabiri-Erewa-led House of Representtaives Committee on the Diaspora Affairs met with the High Commissioner. He said that the South African government would look into the reported case of Nigerian killed in South Africa and blamed the protest in South Africa on the matter to lack of adequate information and wrong perception.``A lot of times, story such as this was based on lack of information and wrong perception’’, he said. He said constant interaction between Nigeria and South Africa as well as citizens of the two countries would minimise the misinformation and wrong perception.``If South Africa and Nigeria come together, they will be giants of Africa’’, he said. He stressed the need for collaboration between Nigeria and those in the Diaspora especially in South Africa to minimise any form of protest or crisis in the future. Mamabolo, whose tenure as High Commissioner in Nigeria, would expire on Wednesday, assured Nigerians that South Africa would not condone injustice.``This latest case will be properly investigated and there would be no cover up. There is no special law in South Africa for citizens and non-citizens alike. The law is equal for anybody’’, He said.
Earlier, Rep. Abike Dabiri-Erewa said the committee was worried about the recent killing of a Nigerian in South Africa and wants the case properly investigated and justice done.
The lawmaker advised that there was the need to create awareness for the younger South Africans to know the role Nigerians played in the apartheid struggle.
``if they know the role Nigerians played in the apartheid struggle in South Africa, the hostilities to Nigerians will be reduced’’, She advised. While advising Nigerians living abroad to be law abiding in their respective countries of residence, she said that more Nigerians in South Africa are excelling than those getting into trouble.
it will be recalled that members of Nigerian community in Western Cape, South Africa staged a protest in Cape Town on Friday Jan.18, for the alleged killing of a Nigerian by the South Africa police while in custody.
Mr. Mojeed Biobaku, Secretary of Nigeria Union Western Cape told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Johannesburg that Mr. Obinna Ugboaja was killed on Jan. 5, by police on the allegation of swallowing drug on arrest.
``On Jan. 5, Obinna was arrested by the police on the allegation that he was in possession of drug; the police claimed that he tried to swallow the drug when arrested.
``The victim was forcefully put in the police vehicle and assaulted inside the police van and at the police station, 30 minutes after his arrest Obinna died in the police custody,’’ Biobaku said. He said members of Nigerian Union went to the police station on hearing about the victim’s death.
``When we heard about his death as members of Nigeria union we went to the police station to make inquiry, but we were told that the case is already been reported to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
``We want an end to unnecessary assaults and attack on Nigerians by the South Africa police. We want the perpetrators to be punish, we also want an independent autopsy to be conducted to determine the cause of Obinna death,’’ Biobaku said.
