Ghanaian killed in South Africa xenophobic violence to be repatriated for burial — Foreign Affairs Ministry

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced plans to repatriate the body of a Ghanaian national who was killed during anti-immigrant demonstrations in South Africa for burial in Ghana.

The deceased, identified as 40-year-old Bashiru Isak, was fatally shot in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, on Monday, June 30, during demonstrations linked to renewed xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals.

The ministry, in a press statement issued on Wednesday, July 1, said it is working through the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria to support the bereaved family while pursuing diplomatic and legal measures to ensure those behind the killing are brought to justice.

"Plans are being made by the Ministry to repatriate the body of the late Mr. Bashiru Isak to his family in Ghana for a befitting burial," the statement read in part.

According to the ministry, the Ghana High Commission has formally lodged Ghana's protest with South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation and filed a complaint with the South African Police Service after confirming the identity of the deceased and informing his family.

It said an autopsy had already been conducted at the request of the Government of Ghana and demanded a full, transparent and expedited investigation into the killing, leading to the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators.

The ministry also urged the South African authorities to strengthen protection for Ghanaians living in affected communities and uphold the safety, dignity and rights of all foreign nationals in accordance with international obligations.

It further noted that Ghana's petition to the African Union Commission over xenophobic attacks against African nationals in South Africa remains active and expressed hope that the continental body would treat the matter with urgency at its next statutory meeting.

It stressed that Ghana would continue to pursue all diplomatic, consular and multilateral avenues to protect the lives and welfare of its citizens abroad and prevent similar attacks from recurring.