The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was deeply shocked and saddened to learn that Mr. Bashiru Isak, a 40-year-old Ghanaian, was shot and killed on Monday, June 30, 2026, in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, South Africa, during anti-immigrant protests connected to ongoing xenophobic attacks.
This senseless act of violence and the growing wave of xenophobia directed toward African people, especially Ghanaians, in South Africa are strongly condemned by the Ghanaian government.
Any taking of life is intolerable, and the perpetrators must be held accountable right away.
The Ghana High Commission in Pretoria has formally registered Ghana’s objection with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation and filed a complaint with the South African Police Service as directed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
After confirming the deceased’s identity and informing the bereaved family, several actions were taken.
The body has since undergone an autopsy at the Ghanaian government’s request.
Ghana asks that the South African authorities conduct a thorough, open, and prompt inquiry that will result in the offenders’ apprehension and prosecution.
Additionally, we reaffirm our demand that the South African government guarantee improved protection for all Ghanaians living in impacted areas.
The Ministry has formally registered Ghana’s protest with South African authorities through its High Commission in Pretoria and has reaffirmed our expectation that South Africa will uphold its international obligations to ensure the safety, dignity, and rights of all foreign nationals on its territory, including Ghanaians.
Recall that Ghana has already sent the African Union Commission (AUC) a petition. We anticipate that the AU will address the issue with the urgency it requires at its upcoming statutory meeting. Our formal appeal regarding xenophobic violence against African nationals in South Africa is still pending.
In the meantime, the Ministry is preparing to return the deceased Mr. Bashiru Isak’s body to his family in Ghana for a proper funeral.
The Ministry offers the deceased’s family its sincere sympathies during this trying period.
Ghanaians in South Africa who chose not to participate in the Ghanaian government’s repatriation exercise are asked to stay alert, stay away from high-risk areas, and call the High Commission’s 24-hour emergency lines (0725145476/0726143856/0724153373/0767718726/0719858042) if they are in danger.
Ghana will keep using all diplomatic, consular, and international channels to safeguard the lives and well-being of its citizens living overseas and to make sure that similar atrocities don’t happen again.
Press Statement Below:
Source: newsthemegh.com