South African Police Probe Nigerian Man's Death in Custody; Family Alleges Torture
South African police are facing renewed scrutiny following the death of a Nigerian man, Habib Ayegbami, in Pretoria. Police claim the 33-year-old collapsed from an epileptic fit during his arrest on Saturday, 23 September. However, Ayegbami's family alleges he was tortured, citing visible abrasions on his back and chest noted in preliminary post-mortem reports.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has launched an investigation into the circumstances of Ayegbami's death. Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi stated that officers were responding to a complaint of common assault when they apprehended Ayegbami. The family's lawyer, however, contests the police account, asserting that Ayegbami had no history of epilepsy and was a victim of police brutality.
This incident occurs amidst persistent allegations of excessive force and human rights abuses by South African law enforcement, particularly against foreign nationals. The Nigerian High Commission in South Africa has been notified and is reportedly monitoring the investigation closely. The IPID's findings will be crucial in determining accountability and addressing the ongoing concerns regarding police conduct.
