The South African Police Service (SAPS) has responded to what it describes as misleading information circulating on social media regarding the d3ath in custody of
Nigerian national in the Sunnyside policing precinct.
According to a statement issued by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the victim identified as Emeka Charles Iroegbu, allegedly d!ed while the custody of the Tshwane Metro Police on June 28, 2026, in Sunnyside, Pretoria, during what it described as a “gruesome interrogation.”
In a statement issued on Monday, July 6, 2026, SAPS dismissed the claims linking the incident to anti-illegal immigrants protests.
The statement described such claims as “baseless and an attempt to mislead the public.”
According to SAPS, on 28 June 2026, members of the Tshwane Drugs Team acted on intelligence and arrested the man at his apartment for the alleged possession of drugs.
Police state that while the suspect was handcuffed and being taken into custody, he suddenly collapsed.
Officers immediately requested medical assistance, but paramedics declared him deceased at the scene.
As the d3ath 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, while the drugs allegedly recovered at the scene were booked into the SAPS 13 store as evidence.
SAPS detectives and an IPID investigator attended the post-mortem examination.
Police said that the matter remains under investigation pending the post-mortem results.
“The South African Police Service notes with concern misleading information being peddled on social media regarding d3ath in custody of a Nigerian national in Sunnyside policing precinct,” the statement read.
“On 28 June 2026, members of SAPS Tshwane Drugs team, acting on intelligence, arrested a Nigerian national at his apartment for possession of drugs.
“During the arrest, the suspect was handcuffed and while being taken into custody, he collapsed.
“Members immediately called for medical assistance. Paramedics attended the scene and declared him d3ad.
“Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), was immediately notified as the d3ath occurred in police custody.
“An inquest case was registered as well as a case of possession of drugs. The drugs found on the scene were booked into SAPS 13 store as evidence.
“Both SAPS Detective and IPID Investigator attended the postmortem examination and it was decided that the case will be investigated by the police pending postmortem results.
“SAPS strongly rejects attempts to link this incident to anti-illegal immigrants protests. Such claims are baseless and an attempt to mislead the public.”
