By Mercy Peter
Three additional suspects have been arraigned in connection with the killing of a 22-year-old Nigerian e-hailing driver, Isaac Satlet, in Pretoria, South Africa.
This is as solidarity protests by Nigerians and South Africans trailed proceedings at the Pretoria Central Magistrate Court on Monday.
Those brought before the court were Dikeledi Mphela, Gotseone Machidi and McClaren Mushwana, while a fourth suspect reportedly turned himself in voluntarily.
The fresh arraignment comes days after the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of all those involved in the gruesome murder.
Large crowds gathered outside the court in Pretoria, with South Africans joining Nigerians in a rare show of unity to demand justice for the slain driver.
Eyewitness accounts described jubilation and chants as news filtered out of the courtroom confirming the suspects’ arraignment. Dabiri-Erewa had earlier decried what she described as the rising spate of attacks and killings of Nigerians in South Africa, urging authorities to act decisively.
Satlet, who was reportedly a student set to graduate next month, was remembered by friends and members of the Nigerian community as hardworking and ambitious, with plans to further his studies in Canada.
Dabiri-Erewa said, “While we acknowledge the swift action leading to these arraignments, we will continue to monitor the case closely to ensure justice is served.
She also commended South Africans who stood in solidarity, noting that “criminal acts should not define the relationship between our two nations, and we appreciate those who have shown support for fairness and accountability.”
She said “We demand justice for Isaac and a thorough prosecution of everyone connected to this heinous act,” she said, adding that such incidents must not be allowed to persist unchecked.
