Nigeria Protests South African Police Treatment of Its Citizens

Nigeria's foreign ministry stated that two of its nationals died in South Africa on June 28. One died in Pretoria after questioning by officers from the Tshwane Metro police department. " The second individual was killed outside a business in eMalahleni by unidentified assailants.

The South African government has not issued a public statement on the deaths.

African cabinet minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said Friday that her government would not pay compensation to Nigerians for losses. She added that Nigerians could sell registered properties they left behind. Nigeria's foreign ministry called the remarks "derogatory, unprofessional and uncensored generalised public statements" that amount to hate speech.

The ministry said it has placed South Africa "on notice" and that "all options remain on the table" if the trend of intolerance continues. It has begun documenting businesses and properties left by Nigerians and will seek compensation through legal channels.

Roughly 25,000 citizens from other African countries, including about 700 Nigerians, have been repatriated in recent weeks ahead of an unofficial June 30 deadline set by anti-migrant groups. Ghana, Malawi and Nigeria have repatriated citizens following violence at protests in April and May that blamed foreigners for unemployment above 30 percent, crime and pressure on public services.

In 2008 more than 60 people died in attacks on foreigners.