Ghana condemns killing of citizen in South Africa, demands swift justice

The Government of Ghana has strongly condemned the killing of a Ghanaian national during anti-immigrant demonstrations in South Africa and has called for a full, transparent and expedited investigation into the incident.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government said it received reports of the fatal shooting of Bashiru Isak, 40, in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, on June 30, 2026, during demonstrations linked to ongoing xenophobic attacks.

The government described the killing as a senseless act of violence and condemned what it called the growing tide of xenophobia targeting African nationals, including Ghanaians, in South Africa. It stressed that those responsible must be brought to justice without delay.

According to the statement, the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria has formally lodged Ghana’s protest with South African authorities and filed a complaint with the South African Police Service after confirming the identity of the deceased and informing his family. An autopsy has also been conducted at the request of the Government of Ghana.

The Ministry called on South African authorities to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those responsible and to strengthen security measures to protect Ghanaians and other foreign nationals living in the country.

It also noted that Ghana has already petitioned the African Union Commission over xenophobic attacks against African nationals in South Africa and urged the Commission to treat the matter with the urgency it deserves at its next statutory meeting.

Meanwhile, the Ministry said arrangements are underway to repatriate the body of the deceased to Ghana for burial. It expressed its deepest condolences to the bereaved family and advised Ghanaians in South Africa who have not opted for the government’s repatriation exercise to remain vigilant, avoid high-risk areas, and stay in touch with the Ghana High Commission through its emergency contact lines.

The Government reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing all diplomatic, consular and multilateral avenues to protect the lives and welfare of Ghanaians abroad and to prevent similar incidents in the future.