South Africa and Ghana have entered a diplomatic dispute after Ghana said a 40‑year‑old migrant was shot dead during anti‑immigration protests in Cape Town’s Khayelitsha township. South African officials deny the allegation.
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said it received reports of the killing with “profound shock” and sent a formal protest note to South Africa and recorded a complaint with the police.
In response, South Africa’s justice minister expressed concerns that Ghanaian authorities were “communicating false information” about the country on the front of irregular migration.
South African police said they had “no record of the Khayelitsha murder,” but clarified they were investigating an earlier killing of 35‑year‑old Ghanaian Kwabena Boagen in a different Cape Town township.
Police noted Boagen lived in Khayelitsha but worked in Nyanga where the shooting occurred. A post‑mortem is underway and the suspects fled the scene, with no arrests yet.
The police asked Ghanaian authorities to provide details of the Khayelitsha incident so the matter could be probed further.
South African foreign ministry official Clayson Monyela called the narrative that links Mr Isak’s death to anti‑migrant protests a “fabricated tale.”
Ghana publicly condemned the killing, stated that “taking of any life is unacceptable,” and demanded a full, transparent investigation that leads to arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators. The ministry also urged South Africa to protect the safety, dignity and rights of all foreign nationals on its territory.
The Ghanaian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described Isak as a tailor who had lived in South Africa for about 20 years. He was reportedly shot after being approached at his shop by people who accused him of taking South African jobs.
Ghana plans to repatriate Isak’s body for burial and has expressed condolences to his family. It also advised its citizens who remain in South Africa to exercise vigilance and avoid high‑risk areas.
South Africa’s unemployment rate exceeds 30 % and anti‑migrant sentiment has been rising in recent months. The country remains a magnet for people from poorer nations seeking work in low‑paid jobs.
On Tuesday, anti‑migrant groups set an unofficial deadline for all undocumented foreigners to leave the country. Thousands marched across major cities, and about 900 arrests were recorded, most for immigration‑related offences and looting. Roughly 25 000 people have left so far, with Ghana, Malawi and Nigeria repatriating some of their citizens.
