A diplomatic dispute has erupted between South Africa and Ghana after Ghana claimed one of its citizens was killed during anti-migrant protests, an allegation South African authorities have strongly denied.
Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had received reports “with profound shock” that 40-year-old Bashiru Isak was shot dead on Tuesday in Khayelitsha, a township in Cape Town. The ministry said it had lodged a formal diplomatic protest with South Africa and filed a complaint with the police.
However, South Africa’s Justice Ministry accused Ghana of spreading misinformation, saying it was concerned that Ghanaian authorities were “continuing to communicate false information about South Africa regarding developments on irregular migration.”
South African police also rejected the claim, saying they had “no record of the Khayelitsha murder.”
Authorities confirmed they are instead investigating the fatal shooting of 35-year-old Ghanaian national Kwabena Boagen, who was killed a day earlier in Nyanga, another Cape Town township, in what police believe was an extortion-related attack.
Police said Boagen lived in Khayelitsha but worked in Nyanga, where the shooting occurred. A post-mortem examination is underway.
According to police, armed suspects entered the barbershop where Boagen was working, demanded money and shot him before fleeing. No arrests have been made.
Responding to Ghana’s statement, South African police appealed to Ghanaian authorities to provide details of the alleged Khayelitsha incident to assist with investigations.
South African Foreign Ministry spokesperson Clayson Monyela also dismissed claims that a Ghanaian had been killed during anti-migrant protests, describing them as a “fabricated tale.”
The dispute comes amid heightened anti-immigrant demonstrations across South Africa. Tuesday marked the unofficial deadline set by anti-migrant groups demanding that undocumented foreign nationals leave the country.
Thousands of protesters marched in major cities, while countries including Zimbabwe, Ghana, Malawi and Nigeria have been repatriating citizens seeking to escape violence and intimidation. Approximately 25,000 people have reportedly left South Africa.
