Ghana and South Africa have become embroiled in a diplomatic dispute following the death of a Ghanaian migrant, with both countries presenting conflicting accounts of the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Ghanaian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that 40-year-old Bashiru Isak was shot and killed during anti-immigrant demonstrations linked to xenophobic attacks in Cape Town’s Khayelitsha township. The ministry described the incident as part of wider violence against foreign nationals and said it had formally protested to Pretoria.
However, South African authorities rejected the claim, describing it as “factually incorrect” and not supported by available evidence. Officials said no fatalities were recorded during the protest period referenced by Ghana.
South Africa’s government insisted that misinformation was being circulated regarding the circumstances of the death, with Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi stating that claims linking the incident to protests were inaccurate.
Police in South Africa said preliminary investigations suggest the victim, identified as a 35-year-old Ghanaian national under a different name, was shot on Monday at a barbershop in what may have been an extortion-related incident. Officers added that unknown assailants allegedly demanded money before opening fire.
The Ghanaian government, however, has maintained its position and insists its account is accurate, deepening tensions between both countries.
The development comes amid heightened anti-immigrant sentiment in parts of South Africa, where recent protests have led to the departure or evacuation of thousands of foreign nationals, including Africans from several countries.
Diplomatic exchanges between both nations continue as investigations into the killing are ongoing.
