Ghanaian shot dead in South Africa in ongoing anti-immigrant demonstrations

A 40-year-old Ghanaian has been shot dead in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, during anti-immigrant demonstrations linked to ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa,

This has prompted the Government of Ghana to demand a full investigation and swift prosecution of those responsible.

The victim, Mr Bashiru Isak, was killed on Monday, June 30, during demonstrations targeting foreign African nationals, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Government said it had received the reports with “profound shock and sadness” and condemned “in the strongest terms” what it described as a senseless act of violence and the rising tide of xenophobia against African nationals, including Ghanaians, in South Africa.

“The taking of any life is unacceptable and those responsible must be brought to justice without delay,” the Ministry stated.

The Ministry said the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria had formally registered Ghana’s protest with South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation and subsequently lodged a complaint with the South African Police Service after confirming the identity of the deceased and notifying his family.

It said an autopsy had been conducted at the request of the Government of Ghana, while arrangements were underway to repatriate Mr Isak’s body to Ghana for burial.

Government demanded a full, transparent and expedited investigation into the killing and called on South African authorities to strengthen protection for Ghanaians and other foreign nationals living in affected communities.

The Ministry also said Ghana’s petition to the African Union Commission on xenophobic attacks against African nationals in South Africa remained active and expressed the expectation that the continental body would address the matter as a priority at its next statutory meeting.

The killing occurred barely two days after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a travel advisory urging Ghanaians to exercise extreme caution when travelling to or within South Africa because of heightened anti-African campaigns, planned demonstrations and the threat of attacks on foreign nationals.

The advisory urged travellers to avoid protest areas, remain vigilant and reconsider non-essential travel until the security situation improved.

The latest incident also comes on the heels of Ghana’s emergency repatriation exercise following the renewed xenophobic unrest in South Africa.

A total of 979 Ghanaians have since been evacuated to Ghana in three batches under a Government-led operation coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with support from other state agencies and international partners.

The returnees received medical care, psychosocial counselling, transportation assistance and reintegration support, while Government has reiterated its commitment to protecting the lives and welfare of Ghanaians wherever they reside.

Source: GNA