A 40-year-old Nigerian, Olatunde Olaleye, has been shot dead while working at a bar in Mamelodi, Pretoria, South Africa, the Nigerian Union in South Africa.
Gatekeepers News reports that Olaleye, an indigene of Ikere-Ekiti in Ekiti State and father of two, was reportedly killed on September 21 at Spanata Bar and Grills, where he worked.
According to Nigerian Union in South Africa (NUSA) President-General Smart Nwobi, the incident followed an argument between Olaleye and a South African national over whether a drinking glass could be taken outside the bar.
Nwobi said the suspect allegedly left the premises after the disagreement but later returned and threatened the management, saying he and members of his group would come back.
NUSA has called for a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding Olaleye’s death and urged the relevant authorities to ensure that those responsible face the law.
“We cannot continue to lose Nigerians under circumstances that leave families devastated, and communities traumatised,” Nwobi said.
The union also appealed to the Nigerian diplomatic mission in South Africa, including the consulate-general and high commission in Pretoria, to intensify engagement with South African authorities over the case and work towards securing justice for the deceased.
Olaleye’s killing comes amid renewed concerns over the safety of Nigerians living and working in South Africa.
