S. African police clash with protesters after reported death of Nigerian national

Police on Saturday fired stun grenades and rubber bullets at a group of foreigners who were protesting against the death of a Nigerian national near Johannesburg.

The scene was chaotic in the streets of Kempton Park northeast of Johannesburg as police clashed with protesting foreigners, witnesses said.

The protest took place after news emerged that a Nigerian national was beaten up and suffocated to death by police in a police van in Kempton Park.

Police however said the man overdosed on drugs he swallowed as he was arrested.

Scores of people were injured in the clash with one officer sustaining an injury to the head when he was hit by a brick, witnesses said.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has confirmed the death of the Nigerian national whose name was withheld. The IPID said it is now investigating the incident.

Police said they have brought the situation under control.

The death of the Nigerian national was reminiscent of police brutality that has happened before.

South African police were put under the spotlight in 2013 when a video showed police murdering Mozambican taxi driver Mido Macia by tying and dragging him behind a police van.

A South African court later convicted eight policemen of murdering the Mozambican driver. Enditem