Nigerian national dies in police custody in Sunnyside
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has refuted social media claims that the death of a Nigerian man in custody was linked to anti-illegal immigrants protests. The victim, identified as Emeka Charles Iroegbu, allegedly died while in the custody of the Tshwane Metro Police on June 28, 2026, in Sunnyside, Pretoria. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, had earlier described the incident as a “gruesome interrogation.”
SAPS statement on the incident
In a statement issued on Monday, July 6, 2026, SAPS dismissed the claims as “baseless and an attempt to mislead the public.” According to SAPS, on June 28, 2026, members of the Tshwane Drugs Team acted on intelligence and arrested Iroegbu at his apartment for alleged drug possession. While handcuffed and being taken into custody, he suddenly collapsed. Officers immediately called for medical assistance, but paramedics declared him deceased at the scene.
IPID investigation launched
As the death occurred while the suspect was in police custody, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) was immediately notified. An inquest docket and a case of possession of drugs were opened. The drugs allegedly recovered at the scene were booked into the SAPS 13 store as evidence. Both SAPS detectives and an IPID investigator attended the post-mortem examination. The matter remains under investigation pending the post-mortem results.
Police reject links to protests
SAPS strongly rejected attempts to link the incident to anti-illegal immigrants protests. The statement read: “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 police noted that misleading information was being peddled on social media regarding the death.
