Two Nigerians have been killed as attacks on foreigners of African descent in South Africa escalate, the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg said.
Consul General, Nnikanwa Oke-Uche, on Monday identified the victims as Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew.
Premium Times reports that xenophobic attacks are on the rise in parts of South Africa.
Last week, videos of violence against African immigrants circulated online.
Some South Africans were seen carrying sticks and chasing and beating black foreigners, and asking them to leave their country.
The Nigerian Embassy in South Africa also did the same issued An advisory warned of violent demonstrations in East London, Cape Town, Durban and the city of KwaZulu-Natal, as well as planned protests in Gauteng province between Monday and Wednesday.
On Monday, Ms Oke-Uche revealed that two Nigerians were killed by South African National Defense Force (SANDF) personnel in Port Elizabeth, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
The Consul General said both victims were attacked and beaten by SANDFF operatives. Mr Andrew's body was found in the Booysens area of Pretoria on 19 April, days after his arrest.
He was arrested due to an alleged altercation with members of the Tshwane Metro Police, and his body was subsequently found at the Pretoria Central Mortuary.
The second victim died on April 20 from injuries sustained in an attack by security personnel the previous Monday.
Ms Oke-Uche said the separate incidents shocked the families of the deceased, the Nigerian community and diplomatic missions.
He also said, “A formal case has been opened with the South African Police Service and the matter is being investigated.
“We welcome this development and underline the importance of ensuring that the investigation is conducted in a thorough, transparent and impartial manner.
“In this regard, the Consulate General respectfully calls on the relevant South African authorities, including the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), to expedite the investigation and establish the facts surrounding this incident.”
He said the Consulate is actively engaged with the relevant South African authorities and is closely monitoring the situation.
“On this, we are calling on the South African authorities to thoroughly investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators of this horrific act to justice.
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“Our position is that no matter what the charges are, there are legal processes and steps to justice. All should be presumed innocent and allowed fair treatment and a hearing in court.
He said, “No one should take the law into their own hands under any circumstances. We hope that the perpetrators will be prosecuted to the end.”
He urged Nigerians living in the country to abide by the law.