Govt awaits autopsy report in South Africa death case

The Government is awaiting the release of an independent autopsy report into the death of a Ghanaian national in South Africa as it pursues the case through diplomatic and legal channels.

The report, together with the coroner’s findings, is expected to inform the Government’s next steps in its engagement with the South African authorities.

Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister for Foreign Affairs, announced this at a media briefing in Accra on Monday on recent consular developments and the Government’s response to attacks involving Ghanaian nationals in South Africa.

He said the independent autopsy was commissioned after Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria and the deceased’s family were unable to obtain the official post-mortem report from the South African authorities.

“The coroner’s report has been prepared and would be released this week together with the autopsy report to enable the Government to consider further processes,” he said.

Mr Ablakwa identified the deceased as Mr Bashiru Issaka, a 44-year-old Ghanaian national who died in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, on June 30, 2026.

He said the identity of the deceased had initially not been confirmed but was subsequently established following engagements between the Ghanaian and South African authorities, allowing consular procedures to proceed.

The Minister said Ghana’s High Commission had formally conveyed the Government’s concerns to South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation and lodged a complaint with the South African Police Service while maintaining contact with the authorities conducting the investigation.

He said the Ministry had remained in regular contact with the bereaved family, provided consular assistance and, with the family’s consent, facilitated the repatriation of the deceased’s remains to Ghana.

The remains arrived at Kotoka International Airport on July 14, 2026, and were received by Ministry officials and family members before being conveyed to the 37 Military Hospital.

Mr Ablakwa said Ghana continued to seek a transparent, thorough and expeditious investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

He said the Government had called for the arrest and prosecution of any persons found responsible and had communicated that position to the South African authorities through diplomatic channels.

The Minister said Ghana would continue to pursue appropriate diplomatic and legal processes in the matter.

He also said investigations were continuing into the death of another Ghanaian national, Mr Antwi Kwadwo, in Prieska in South Africa’s Northern Cape Province on July 18, 2026.

Mr Ablakwa said Ghana’s High Commission was working with the South African authorities to establish the circumstances of that incident, including whether it was connected to recent attacks on foreign nationals.

He said the Government would not speculate on the motive until the investigations had been completed.

Mr Ablakwa urged the public to rely on verified information issued through official channels, warning that misinformation and unsubstantiated reports could undermine ongoing investigations and cause additional distress to affected families.

He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to providing diplomatic and consular protection to Ghanaian nationals abroad and said it would continue to monitor both cases closely.

GNA