South Africa Disputes Claims Linking Ghanaian Citizen’s Death to Xenophobia

The South African government has formally rejected allegations from Ghanaian authorities that the recent killing of a Ghanaian national in Cape Town was motivated by xenophobia.

The dispute follows a statement from Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which expressed shock over the death of Bashiru Isak, a 40-year-old fashion designer. Ghana had petitioned the African Union, characterizing the incident as an act of xenophobic brutality linked to recent anti-immigrant demonstrations in South Africa. Ghana further demanded a transparent investigation and urged South African authorities to ensure the safety of foreign nationals.

However, the South African government, speaking through the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration, has labeled Ghana’s claims as “factually incorrect.” According to South African officials, the timelines provided by Accra do not align with police reports. While anti-immigrant protests occurred on Tuesday, June 30, the shooting of the victim took place on Monday, June 29, at his workplace in Nyanga.

South African police stated that the incident is being treated as a criminal act of extortion rather than a protest-related hate crime. Authorities reported that unidentified suspects entered the victim’s business, demanded money, and subsequently shot him. Police confirmed that they have opened a murder investigation and are currently pursuing leads, though no arrests have been made at this time.

South Africa’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, expressed “serious concern” regarding what she described as the dissemination of misinformation by Ghanaian officials. She criticized the move to frame the incident as xenophobic, stating that it perpetuates a false narrative about the country.

“It is concerning that Ghanaian authorities continue to communicate false information,” the Minister stated, while urging African nations to utilize established diplomatic channels to resolve concerns rather than issuing public statements that may inflame tensions.

While offering condolences to the victim’s family, the South African government reaffirmed its commitment to investigating the murder and bringing the perpetrators to justice, maintaining that the country’s law enforcement agencies are addressing the incident as a criminal matter.