South Africa and Ghana in diplomatic row over killing of migrant

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. South Africa and Ghana in diplomatic row over killing of migrantImage source, EPAImage caption, Anti-migrant sentiment has been rising in South AfricaByBasillioh Rukanga and Pumza Fihlani, Reporting fromJohannesburgPublished1 hour agoA diplomatic row has erupted between South Africa and Ghana, over claims that a Ghanaian man was killed during anti-migrant protests, which South African officials deny. Ghana's Foreign Affairs ministry said it had received with "profound shock" reports that Bashiru Isak, 40, had been shot dead on Tuesday in Cape Town's Khayelitsha's township. It said it had sent a formal protest note and filed a complaint with the police.

South Africa's justice minister responded by expressing concern "that Ghanaian authorities continue to communicate false information about South Africa regarding developments on irregular migration". The police said they had "no record of the Khayelitsha murder". They did say they were investigating the killing, a day earlier, of 35-year-old Ghanaian Kwabena Boagen in extortion-linked crime in a different Cape Town township, Nyanga.

The Details

South African police said Boagen lived in Khayelitsha area but worked in Nyanga, where the crime occurred. It said a post-mortem was being done in line with its protocols. The police had earlier told the that suspects entered the barbershop where Boagen was working and demanded money from him before he was shot.

The suspects fled the scene and so far no arrests have been made. Referring to the statement by Ghanaian authorities, the police said: "An earnest plea is made to the authorities in question to provide details of the Khayelitsha incident to the in order for the matter to be probed further. "South African foreign ministry official Clayson Monyela told the that claims linking the Ghanaian's death to the anti-migrant protests were a "fabricated tale".

'We have to prioritise South Africans': Anti-migrant movement blocks foreigners from healthcare Published18 October 2025Tuesday was the unofficial deadline set by South African anti-migrant groups for all undocumented foreigners to leave the country, with thousands marching across main cities. Ghana, Malawi and Nigeria are among the African countries that have been repatriating some of their citizens seeking to escape violence and intimidation in South Africa ahead of the deadline. Some 25,000 people have left so far.

What Experts Say

The police said Tuesday's protests were largely peaceful. They said about 900 people were arrested, mostly for immigration-related offences and looting. Image source, via Getty ImagesImage caption, Police said protests across the country were peacefulIn the statement condemning the attack against Isak, Ghana said "taking of any life is unacceptable, and those responsible must be brought to justice without delay".

"Ghana demands from the South African authorities a full, transparent and expedited investigation leading to the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators," it said.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.