Shot Multiple Times, Father of Three: Foreign Ministry shares details of Ghanaian killed in SA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revealed that Bashiru Isak, the Ghanaian national killed in South Africa, was a father of three who was shot multiple times in Khayelitsha, a suburb of Cape Town.

The Ministry, in an update to its earlier statement issued on July 1, 2026, confirmed that Isak was the deceased Ghanaian whose killing occurred in circumstances linked to the recent wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

It described Isak as a law-abiding citizen and a loving father, dismissing what it said were false claims initially made by some South African officials regarding his identity.

The Ministry also announced that Isak’s mortal remains have been repatriated to Ghana following arrangements made by the Government of Ghana through its High Commission in Pretoria, with the consent of his bereaved family.

His body arrived in Ghana on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 6:40 pm, and was received by family members and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the airport.

The remains have since been deposited at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra.

The government expressed its condolences to Isak’s parents, wife, children, friends and loved ones, assuring them of its continued support following the loss.

The ministry further disclosed that an independent autopsy would be conducted after Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria and the deceased’s family were unsuccessful in obtaining an autopsy report from South African authorities.

Documented Tailor, Father of Three: The story of Ghanaian shot dead in South Africa

It said the decision was aimed at establishing further details surrounding his death and ensuring transparency in the investigation process.

The government has renewed its demand for justice, calling for expedited investigations, arrests and prosecution of persons responsible for Isak’s killing.

“The Government of Ghana renews its demand for justice. We expect expedited investigations, arrests and prosecution. There must be no room for silence or cover-ups in the gruesome killing of Mr. Isak,” the ministry stated.

Isak will be buried according to Islamic customs after the completion of the independent autopsy.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed its committed to pursuing all appropriate diplomatic and legal avenues to ensure that justice is served.

Bashiru a 40-year-old Ghanaian national, was killed during anti-immigrant protests in South Africa on June 30, 2026.

He was shot dead in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, during demonstrations linked to xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals.

See the full statement below:

16TH JULY, 2026 - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to provide the following update to its Press Statement issued on 1st July, 2026, regarding the tragic killing of a Ghanaian in South Africa in circumstances linked to the current wave of xenophobic attacks in that country.

The Ministry sadly confirms that the deceased Ghanaian who was fatally shot multiple times in Khayelitsha, a suburb of Cape Town, South Africa, was indeed Bashiru Isak, a law abiding and loving father of three. This irrefutable fact is contrary to false claims initially made by some South African officials.

With the consent of the bereaved family, the Government of Ghana, through its High Commission in Pretoria, facilitated the repatriation of Mr. Isak’s mortal remains, which arrived in Ghana on Tuesday 14th July, 2026 at 6:40pm.

Family members and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present at the airport to receive the body which has been deposited at the 37 Military Hospital.

The Government of Ghana's thoughts and prayers continue to be with Mr. Isak's family for their irreplaceable loss.

The Ministry and Mr. Isak's family have agreed to conduct an independent autopsy, particularly as our High Commission in Pretoria and Mr. Isak's family have been unsuccesful in obtaining an autopsy report from South African authorities.

The Government of Ghana renews its demand for justice. We expect expedited investigations, arrests and prosecution.There must be no room for silence or cover-ups in the gruesome killing of Mr. Isak.

After the autopsy, Mr. Bashiru Isak shall be buried in accordance with Islamic customs.

The Government of Ghana remains committed to pursuing all appropriate diplomatic and legal avenues to ensure that justice is manifestly served.

The Ministry extends its deepest condolences to the parents, wife, children friends, and loved ones of the late Bashiru Isak

See the video below:

The Government of Ghana has confirmed that the remains of Bashiru Isak, the Ghanaian national who was fatally shot multiple times in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, South Africa, have been repatriated to Ghana.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Isak's body arrived in… pic.twitter.com/Yj9hzUzpte

— GhanaWeb (@TheGhanaWeb) July 16, 2026