No Ghanaian killed in xeno attacks – SA High Commissioner

Not one Ghanaian has been killed in the unfettered xenophobic attacks in South Africa, the country’s High Commissioner to Ghana Lulama Xingwana has told journalists in Ghana at a press conference on Monday.

She said a Ghanaian man, who was found dead on the streets of Durban, the centre of the attacks on black Africans from other countries by their fellow black South Africans, died of an epileptic attack, according to an autopsy report.

Xingwana also said four other Ghanaians–a man, two women and a baby–who were found dead in a salon at Heibron, did not die from xenophobic attacks.

According to him, there have not been any reported attacks in that part of South Africa, and, therefore, the death of the four could not be linked to the xenophobic attacks.

Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa Kwesi Ahwoi has also confirmed in an interview with ultimate breakfast show host Prince Minkah on ultimate 106.9fm in Kumasi that the four perished from asphyxiation as a result of fumes they inhaled from a generator that they were using to provide electricity for themselves in their salon, during a power cut situation.

The irate black South Africans launched the xenophobic onslaught a week ago against fellow black Africans, who they accuse of taking their jobs and invading their country with crimes.

A group in Ghana has urged a boycott of all South African investments and firms to mount pressure on the Government of South Africa to stop the attacks.

Security has been heightened at the South African High Commission in Ghana to prevent any reprisal attacks. The High Commissioner is billed to address journalists at a press conference Monday over the matter.

The African Union, led by current Chairman, President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe has condemned the attacks. The Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), has done same.

Reports say 10 people have been killed, so far, in the attacks.