The Government of Ghana has expressed deep shock and sadness over the fatal shooting of a Ghanaian national, Mr Bashiru Isak, aged 40, in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, South Africa, during anti-immigrant demonstrations held on Monday, June 30, 2026.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the incident occurred amid ongoing tensions linked to reported xenophobic attacks targeting African nationals.
In a statement issued in Accra on July 1, 2026, the government condemned the killing, describing it as a senseless act of violence, and called for urgent action to bring those responsible to justice.
“The taking of any life is unacceptable, and those responsible must be brought to justice without delay,” the statement said.
The Ministry revealed that Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria has formally lodged a protest with South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation and filed a complaint with the South African Police Service.
These diplomatic steps, the statement noted, were taken after the identity of the deceased was confirmed and the bereaved family duly informed. At Ghana’s request, an autopsy has also been conducted on the body.
Ghana is demanding a full, transparent, and expedited investigation into the killing, with a clear call for the arrest and prosecution of all perpetrators. The government has also urged South African authorities to strengthen protection for Ghanaian nationals and other foreign residents in affected communities.
The Ministry stressed that South Africa must uphold its international obligations to guarantee the safety, dignity, and rights of all foreign nationals within its borders.
The statement further noted that Ghana has already submitted a petition to the African Union Commission on the broader issue of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, adding that the matter remains active and is expected to be considered at the AU’s next statutory meeting.
