SA, Ghana Clash Over Cape Town Death Claim
Last update: July 2, 2026
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A diplomatic row is brewing after Ghana says one of its nationals was killed in Cape Town. South Africa says it did not happen.
A diplomatic row has broken out between South Africa and Ghana over claims that a Ghanaian man was killed during anti migrant protests, claims South African officials flatly deny, cbinews.tv reports.
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs ministry said it received reports “with profound shock” that 40-year-old Bashiru Isak was shot dead on Tuesday in Cape Town’s Khayelitsha township. It sent a formal protest note and filed a complaint with the police.
But South Africa’s justice minister hit back, expressing concern “that Ghanaian authorities continue to communicate false information about South Africa regarding developments on irregular migration”.
The police say they have “no record of the Khayelitsha murder”.
What they are investigating is a different killing. A day earlier, 35 year old Ghanaian Kwabena Boagen was shot dead in what police say was an extortion linked crime in Nyanga, another Cape Town township.
South African police explained that Boagen lived in the Khayelitsha area but worked in Nyanga, where the attack happened. A post mortem is being carried out in line with their protocols.
Police earlier told newsmen that suspects walked into the barbershop where Boagen was working and demanded money before shooting him. The suspects fled and no arrests have been made yet.
Responding to Ghana’s statement, police said: "An earnest plea is made to the authorities in question to provide details of the Khayelitsha incident to the in order for the matter to be probed further."[police]
Tuesday was the unofficial deadline set by South African anti migrant groups for all undocumented foreigners to leave the country. Thousands marched across major cities.
Ghana, Malawi and Nigeria are among the African countries repatriating some of their citizens who want to escape violence and intimidation in South Africa ahead of the deadline. About 25,000 people have left so far.
Police said Tuesday’s protests were largely peaceful. Around 900 people were arrested, mostly for immigration related offences and looting.
In its statement condemning the attack on Isak, Ghana said "taking of any life is unacceptable, and those responsible must be brought to justice without delay".
"Ghana demands from the South African authorities a full, transparent and expedited investigation leading to the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators," it added.
Ghana’s Joy FM described Isak as a tailor who had lived in South Africa for about 20 years. He was reportedly approached at his shop by people who allegedly accused him of taking South African jobs before shooting him.
Plans are under way to repatriate his body to Ghana for burial, according to Ghana’s foreign ministry, which also sent condolences to his family.
The ministry advised Ghanaians who have chosen to remain in South Africa to stay vigilant and avoid high risk areas.
South Africa has one of the highest unemployment rates in the world at more than 30 percent, and anti-migrant sentiment has been rising in recent months.
The continent’s most developed economy is still a magnet for people from poorer countries looking for work, often in low paid jobs.
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