The South African government has rejected Ghana’s claim that the fatal shooting of a Ghanaian national was a xenophobic attack, insisting that preliminary police investigations indicate the incident was linked to an alleged extortion dispute rather than anti-immigrant violence.
The diplomatic row follows Ghana’s strong condemnation of the killing of its citizen, Bashiru Isak, in Cape Town. Ghana had demanded a full, transparent, and expedited investigation, while also calling on the African Union to take urgent action against recurring attacks on African migrants living in South Africa.
However, South African authorities have pushed back against those allegations. The South African Police Service (SAPS) said detectives investigating the case have found no evidence at this stage to suggest the murder was motivated by xenophobia. Instead, police say the shooting appears to have stemmed from an alleged extortion-related dispute.
South Africa also described Ghana’s decision to escalate the matter to the African Union as “regrettable,” maintaining that investigations are ongoing and urging against conclusions before the probe is completed.
The development comes amid heightened tensions in South Africa following anti-immigration protests that have sparked widespread concern across the continent over the safety of foreign nationals. Ghana has nevertheless maintained its demand for justice and accountability while insisting that South African authorities guarantee the safety and rights of Ghanaians residing in the country.
