South African Police link killing of Ghanaian national in Cape Town to extortion, not xenophobia
The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Western Cape has confirmed the fatal shooting of a Ghanaian national in Nyanga, stating that preliminary investigations point to extortion-related criminal activity rather than xenophobic violence.
In a statement published on its official Facebook page, SAPS identified the deceased as 35-year-old Mr. Kwabena Boagen, who was shot and killed on Monday, June 29, 2026, at the Nyanga Terminus in Cape Town.
Police said the attack occurred at about 3:45 p.m. in front of the NTG Hair Salon and Shoe Repairs, where unidentified armed men opened fire on the victim before fleeing the scene.
Emergency Medical Services personnel responded to the incident but pronounced Mr. Boagen dead at the scene.
“The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Western Cape confirms the murder of a Ghanaian national in Nyanga on Monday, 29 June 2026, in circumstances believed to be linked to the crime of extortion,” the statement said.
According to investigators, initial findings at the crime scene suggest extortion as the most likely motive, although no arrests have been made so far.
SAPS said a murder investigation has been launched, with detectives from the Nyanga precinct leading efforts to trace and apprehend the perpetrators.
The police also confirmed that they have been in contact with a relative of the deceased and have conveyed condolences to the bereaved family.
Mr. Boagen was reportedly residing in Khayelitsha but worked in Nyanga, where the fatal incident occurred.
Authorities further disclosed that a post-mortem examination is underway by South Africa’s Department of Health in accordance with legal procedures.
The police statement comes in response to a release from Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which had suggested that the killing was linked to anti-immigrant protests and xenophobic attacks in Khayelitsha.