Some Nigerian nationals in Benoni fear for their safety after the recent death of a 44-year-old man, who died after he sustained multiple injuries – caused in an attack, allegedly by taxi drivers.

The Nigerian man, identified as Chinwuko Ugochukwu Augustine, was reportedly accused of selling drugs in the CBD and as a result, attacked on December 21.

According to Benoni SAPS spokesperson Captain Nomsa Sekele, a case of murder was opened at the station and investigations are ongoing. Sekele says no one has been arrested in regards to the murder.

The Consulate General of Nigeria in December issued a movement advisory to Nigerians in Benoni.

A letter issued by the association advises Nigerians to stay off the streets if possible and to practise increased security.

The association adds that it will continue to work with leaders of the Nigerian community, the Benoni Taxi Association, the SAPS, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, and the CPF to ensure that the attacks are not only stopped but thoroughly investigated and justice duly served.

A group of Nigerians went to Benoni SAPS on December 22 to raise their grievances after the death of their fellow national.

Speaking anonymously to the Benoni City Times, a group of Nigerian nationals told the publication that they feel under attack as they have been painted with the same brush of being ‘drug dealers’.

“We are harassed daily by the taxi drivers just because we are Nigerian nationals. We can’t walk freely on the streets because we are searched and called drug dealers for no reason. Not all of us are drug dealers,” they say.

Another Nigerian, Walee Adewale, who is part of the Nigerian Citizen Association, explains they run legitimate businesses in Benoni so they are not scared ‘because the taxi drivers are targeting drug dealers’.

He says the only solution to ending the attacks on Nigerians living in Benoni is that the Nigerian community should work together to stop the drug trade.

The Benoni Taxi Association previously told the Benoni City Times that their clean-up operation aimed to target drug dealers and users who they believe were responsible for the crimes committed in the CBD.

In November, local taxi drivers armed with sjamboks and knobkerries dispersed vagrants, some of them believed to be drug addicts occupying the dilapidated building, Benoni Plaza.