ACCRA/PRETORIA – A diplomatic dispute has emerged between Ghana and South Africa following the killing of a Ghanaian national in Cape Town, with the two governments offering differing accounts of the circumstances surrounding his death.
The victim, identified as Bashiru Isak, 40, was a tailor who had reportedly lived and worked in South Africa for nearly two decades. He was shot dead in the Khayelitsha township of Cape Town, sparking concern among Ghanaian authorities and members of the Ghanaian community in South Africa.
Ghana’s government has expressed concern that Isak may have been killed during anti-illegal immigration demonstrations that authorities say were accompanied by incidents of xenophobic violence. Accra has called for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the killing and requested the repatriation of Isak’s body to Ghana.
The case has also been raised with the African Union, reflecting the seriousness with which Ghana views the incident and broader concerns about the safety of African migrants living in South Africa.
South African authorities, however, have strongly rejected suggestions that the killing was linked to anti-immigrant protests. Officials say preliminary investigations indicate that the shooting appears to be connected to a separate criminal extortion case that occurred a day earlier and was unrelated to demonstrations held on June 30.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has stated that the protests were largely peaceful and should not be associated with acts of violence without clear evidence. South African officials have urged the public to allow investigators to complete their work before drawing conclusions about the motive behind the killing.
The incident has renewed attention on long-standing concerns over xenophobia in South Africa, where outbreaks of anti-immigrant violence in previous years have strained relations with several African countries. Foreign nationals from across the continent, including those from Ghana, Nigeria, Somalia, Ethiopia, and Zimbabwe, have at times been targeted during periods of social and economic tension.
Diplomatic sources say both governments are maintaining communication as investigations continue. The outcome of the inquiry is expected to play a key role in determining whether the case develops into a broader diplomatic issue between two of Africa’s most influential nations.
Authorities in South Africa have pledged to investigate the killing thoroughly, while Ghana continues to seek answers regarding the circumstances of Isak’s death and assurances for the safety of its citizens living abroad.
