Ghana to conduct independent autopsy on citizen killed in South Africa xenophobic attacks

The Government of Ghana has announced plans to conduct an independent autopsy on the body of Bashiru Isak, the Ghanaian national who was killed in South Africa during the recent wave of xenophobic attacks.

The decision follows the repatriation of his mortal remains to Ghana after authorities and his family were unable to obtain an autopsy report from South African officials.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the body arrived at Accra International Airport on Tuesday, July 14, and has since been deposited at the 37 Military Hospital.

The Ministry disclosed the latest development in a statement issued on Thursday, July 16, in which it reaffirmed the government's commitment to securing justice for the deceased and his family.

"The Ministry and Mr. Isak's family have agreed to conduct an independent autopsy, particularly as our High Commission in Pretoria and Mr. Isak's family have been unsuccessful in obtaining an autopsy report from South African authorities," the statement read in part.

The Ministry described the deceased as a law-abiding man and a loving father of three, contrary to what it called false claims initially made by some South African officials regarding his identity.

It noted that the repatriation of his remains was facilitated by the Government of Ghana through its High Commission in Pretoria with the consent of his family.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and family members received the body upon its arrival in Accra.

"The Government of Ghana renews its demand for justice. We expect expedited investigations, arrests and prosecution. There must be no room for silence or cover-ups in the gruesome killing of Mr. Isak," the Ministry stated.

The Ministry said Mr. Isak would be buried according to Islamic customs after the independent autopsy is completed.

It added that the government would continue to pursue all appropriate diplomatic and legal avenues to ensure justice is served.