In brief
Ghana’s foreign ministry has lodged a formal protest over the death of 40‑year‑old Bashiru Isak in Khayelitsha, claiming he was killed during anti‑migrant protests. South African police say they have no record of such a murder but are probing a separate killing of Ghanaian Kwabena Boagen linked to extortion. Amid rising anti‑migrant sentiment and a looming deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave, the two countries are at odds over evidence, accountability and the safety of foreign nationals.
South Africa and Ghana clash over the alleged killing of a Ghanaian migrant in Cape Town.
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs ministry sent a formal protest after reports emerged that Bashiru Isak, 40, was shot dead in Khayelitsha, a township in Cape Town, during anti‑migrant demonstrations. The ministry described the killing as “fabricated” and demanded a rapid, transparent investigation and prosecution of those responsible.
South African officials have denied that any such murder occurred. Police say they have “no record” of Isak’s death but are investigating the earlier killing of 35‑year‑old Ghanaian Kwabena Boagen, who was shot after an alleged extortion attack in the Nyanga township. Their investigation is underway, with a post‑mortem and witness statements in progress.
The incident comes amid a surge of anti‑migrant protests that have become a nationwide movement. Thousands of undocumented foreign nationals, many from Ghana, Malawi and Nigeria, have left South Africa ahead of a government‑set deadline urging them to exit the country. In July, roughly 900 people were arrested for immigration offences and looting during the protests, which were otherwise largely peaceful according to police reports.
Ghana’s response stresses the “unacceptable” nature of taking any life and calls for South Africa to meet its international obligation to protect the rights, safety and dignity of all foreign nationals on its soil. The Ghanaian foreign ministry also indicated plans to repatriate Isak’s body to Ghana for burial.
South Africa’s high unemployment rate – over 30 % – fuels anti‑migrant sentiment, as millions seek low‑paid jobs in its economy. The diplomatic row underscores the need for clearer communication and cooperation between the two governments to address the plight of migrants and prevent further violence.
