South Africa and Ghana clash over Ghanaian migrant’s death amid anti‑immigrant protests

Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Bashiru Isak, a 40‑year‑old Ghanaian, was shot dead during anti‑illegal‑migrant demonstrations in Cape Town on 30 June 2026. It lodged a formal protest with Pretoria and condemned the "senseless act of violence" and "rising tide of xenophobia" targeting African nationals.

South Africa’s Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, who chairs the Inter‑Ministerial Committee on Migration, rejected the claim as "factually incorrect". She said police records show the victim was killed on 29 June 2026 in Nyanga, a day before the protests, in an extortion‑related attack at a barbershop. "It is concerning that Ghanaian authorities continue to communicate false information about South Africa," Kubayi said, adding that no fatalities were recorded on the protest day.

The dispute has escalated diplomatically: Ghana’s foreign ministry filed a complaint and demanded a swift investigation, while Ghanaian MP Samuel Abu Jinapor urged that the matter be taken to the presidential level to restore relations. Community leaders in South Africa also emphasised that the killing was unrelated to the protests, warning that misinformation could endanger Ghanaian residents.