South Africa Rejects Ghana's Claims Over Alleged Migrant Protest Killing

By Staff Reporter
A diplomatic row has erupted between South Africa and Ghana after the two countries issued conflicting accounts over the reported death of a Ghanaian national during alleged anti-migrant protests in Cape Town.

Ghana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was "profoundly shocked" by reports that 40-year-old Bashiru Isak was fatally shot on Tuesday in Khayelitsha township. The ministry announced that it had lodged a formal diplomatic protest with the South African government and filed a complaint with South African police regarding the alleged incident.

South African authorities, however, have disputed the claims.

Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi expressed concern over what she described as the circulation of inaccurate information about South Africa, particularly in relation to issues surrounding irregular migration.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) said it has no record of a murder involving Bashiru Isak in Khayelitsha and has called on Ghanaian authorities to provide any information that could assist investigators.

Police instead confirmed they are investigating the fatal shooting of another Ghanaian national, 35-year-old Kwabena Boagen, who was killed a day earlier in Nyanga township.

According to SAPS, Boagen, who lived in Khayelitsha and worked at a barbershop in Nyanga, was attacked by armed suspects believed to have been carrying out an extortion-related crime. Investigators say the gunmen entered the shop, demanded money, shot Boagen, and fled the scene.

No arrests have been made, and authorities have launched a murder investigation while awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination.

South African police have urged Ghanaian officials to share any evidence or details relating to the alleged killing of Bashiru Isak to enable a full investigation.

The conflicting narratives have heightened diplomatic tensions between Pretoria and Accra, while also drawing renewed attention to concerns over the safety of migrants and rising anti-foreigner sentiment in parts of South Africa.