Ghana has demanded justice after a Ghanaian national, Bashiru Isak, was killed in South Africa during demonstrations in Cape Town on June 30, with Accra calling for a swift investigation and stronger protection for African migrants.
The incident has reignited one of the most sensitive issues in Ghana–South Africa relations. Accra says the killing occurred during demonstrations that it believes were linked to anti-immigrant violence and has renewed calls for stronger protections for foreign nationals and urgent African Union (AU) action. South African authorities, meanwhile, say investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death are continuing and have urged against reaching premature conclusions.
Foreign Ministry condemns killing
In a statement issued on July 1, Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had received news of Isak’s death ‘with profound shock and sadness’ and described the incident as a senseless act of violence.
According to the ministry, Isak was killed in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, during demonstrations that Ghana says were linked to anti-immigrant violence targeting foreign nationals.
‘The Government of Ghana condemns, in the strongest terms, this senseless act of violence and the rising tide of xenophobia targeting African nationals, including Ghanaians, in South Africa,’ the ministry said.
It added: ‘The taking of any life is unacceptable and those responsible must be brought to justice without delay.’
South Africa continues investigation
South African Police Service (SAPS) officials say investigations remain ongoing and have cautioned against concluding that the killing was xenophobia-related before the inquiry is complete.
South African authorities have indicated they are examining all available evidence to establish the circumstances surrounding Isak’s death and have emphasised that the motive has not yet been officially determined.
The differing accounts underscore the importance of allowing the criminal investigation to run its course while both governments continue diplomatic engagement.
Ghana demands accountability
The Foreign Ministry said Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria immediately engaged South African authorities after confirming the identity of the deceased and informing his family.
According to the ministry, the High Commission formally registered Ghana’s protest with South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation and lodged a complaint with SAPS. At Ghana’s request, an autopsy has also been conducted.
Accra is demanding what it described as a ‘full, transparent and expedited investigation’ leading to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.
The government also called on South African authorities to strengthen security measures for Ghanaian citizens and other foreign nationals living in affected communities, stressing that South Africa has an obligation under international law to protect everyone within its territory.
Renewed appeal to the African Union
Ghana has also revived its call for continental action against recurring attacks on African migrants.
The Foreign Ministry recalled that it had previously submitted a formal petition to the African Union Commission over xenophobic attacks against African nationals in South Africa and said it expected the issue to receive urgent consideration at the AU’s next statutory meeting.
‘We expect the AU to treat the matter with the urgency it demands,’ the ministry said.
A long-standing regional concern
Violence against foreign nationals has periodically flared in South Africa over the past two decades, prompting diplomatic protests from several African governments, including Ghana, Nigeria, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Ghana’s evacuation of citizens from South Africa during earlier xenophobic attacks illustrates how previous outbreaks have affected bilateral relations.
Major outbreaks in 2008, 2015 and 2019 resulted in deaths, injuries and the destruction of businesses owned by migrants, drawing widespread condemnation across Africa and renewing calls for stronger protections for foreign nationals. Former president Thabo Mbeki’s warning that xenophobia reflects deeper social and governance failures has continued to influence debate on how South Africa should address the issue.
For Ghana, the latest killing is likely to reinforce concerns about the safety of its citizens living and working abroad while renewing debate over how African governments should collectively respond to attacks on migrants within the continent.
The incident also comes amid renewed political debate over immigration in South Africa. Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie’s hard-line position on undocumented migration reflects the increasingly polarised domestic discussion surrounding immigration policy.
Ghana says it will continue engaging South African authorities through diplomatic channels while monitoring the criminal investigation and pressing for accountability.
Officials are also working with Isak’s family on arrangements to repatriate his body to Ghana for burial.
The findings of the South African investigation, together with any subsequent diplomatic engagement between Accra and Pretoria, are expected to shape discussions at both bilateral and African Union levels in the weeks ahead.
