The Government of Ghana has called for swift and decisive justice following the killing of a Ghanaian national during recent anti-immigrant protests in Cape Town, South Africa.The victim, identified as Bashiru Isak, was a 40-year-old married father of three who had lived in South Africa for approximately 20 years.He was reportedly shot at his tailoring business in Khayelitsha during a period of heightened tension linked to anti-immigrant demonstrations.

Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Ministry expressed deep shock and sadness at the incident, strongly condemning what it described as a senseless act of violence amid what it views as a rising tide of xenophobic attacks targeting African nationals in South Africa.

The ministry stressed that all perpetrators must be identified, arrested, and prosecuted without delay, and urged South African authorities to ensure better protection for foreign nationals living in affected communities.

The Ghanaian government also reiterated that its formal petition to the African Union regarding xenophobic violence in South Africa remains active, calling for urgent regional attention and a fact-finding mission.

In response, South Africa’s International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola reaffirmed the government’s commitment to human rights and cautioned against allowing concerns over illegal migration to fuel prejudice or xenophobia.

He emphasised that migration should be managed as a broader Pan-African issue and outlined ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening immigration management, including a proposed points-based visa system and enhanced border control measures.

The incident has added further strain to ongoing discussions about migration, security, and social cohesion in South Africa, particularly in communities experiencing economic pressure and periodic unrest.Authorities have been urged to balance law enforcement with the protection of vulnerable foreign nationals.