A mob has allegedly killed a 34-year-old Nigerian, Samuel Nkennaya, based in South Africa, whom they accused of kidnapping.
Another Nigerian, Chinonso Nwudo, was left with injuries in a South African hospital following mob attack.
Secretary of Mpumalanga Province branch of the Nigerian Union in South Africa (NUSA), Victor Ayanfe-Oyebanjo, disclosed on Tuesday.
Mr Ayanfe-Oyebanjo said the two men were attacked after being accused of kidnapping a six year-old girl, Chinonye, who unknown to their attackers was Nwudo’s daughter.
He said: “It all started when Nwudo took his six-year-old daughter, Chinonye, to visit Nkennaya at White River town in the evening of April 27.
“Later, Nwudo and Nkennaya proceeded to buy food for Nwudo’s daughter, Chinonye, at KFC restaurant in the area.
Shortly after buying the food, Ayanfe-Oyebanjo said some bystanders raised alarm that both men kidnapped the girl.
“While they were being attacked, Nwudo kept on shouting that the girl was his daughter and pleaded that they speak to his South African wife to confirm his claim – which actually saved his life.
“The Police later intervened and called for backup to rescue the victims. Nkennaya died at the hospital on April 28, while Nwudo is in critical health condition,” he said.
Ayanfe-Oyebanjo also said a murder case had been opened at the White River police station.
He also called on Nigerians in the province not to embark on reprisal attacks.
