A diplomatic dispute has emerged between Ghana and South Africa over the circumstances surrounding the death of a Ghanaian national in Cape Town, with both governments offering conflicting accounts of how the victim was killed.
Ghana has demanded a full, transparent and expedited investigation into the incident, insisting that the victim was killed during anti-immigrant demonstrations in South Africa on June 30.
The Ghanaian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it has formally protested to South African authorities and is calling for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.
Accra also urged the African Union to intervene over what it described as recurring xenophobic attacks against African nationals living in South Africa.
The government said arrangements are underway to repatriate the victim’s body, while advising Ghanaians residing in South Africa to remain vigilant, avoid high-risk areas and contact the Ghana High Commission if they face any danger.
However, South African authorities have strongly rejected Ghana’s account, describing it as “factually incorrect.”
According to South African officials, preliminary police investigations indicate that the Ghanaian national was shot on June 29, one day before the anti-immigration protests, inside a barbershop in Nyanga, Cape Town.
Police said unknown gunmen allegedly entered the barbershop, demanded money and fatally shot the victim before fleeing the scene. Investigators believe the attack may have been linked to extortion rather than the anti-immigrant demonstrations.
South Africa’s Minister of Justice, Mmamoloko Kubayi, said police records show no deaths were recorded during the June 30 protests and urged that diplomatic concerns be addressed through established official channels rather than public statements.
The conflicting narratives have heightened diplomatic tensions between the two African nations, as investigations continue to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the Ghanaian’s death.
While Ghana maintains the killing was connected to xenophobic violence, South Africa insists available evidence points to a criminal attack unrelated to the anti-immigration demonstrations.
The outcome of the investigation is expected to clarify the events leading to the fatal shooting and could prove crucial in easing the growing disagreement between the two governments.
