Ghana has repatriated the remains of a Ghanaian national who was killed in South Africa last month amid what officials describe as a wave of xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the victim was Bashiru Isak, a father of three who was shot dead in Khayelitsha, a township near Cape Town.
The ministry said Mr Isak’s remains arrived in Ghana on Tuesday, 14 July, and were received by family members and senior officials from the Foreign Affairs Ministry before being transferred to the 37 Military Hospital.
Ghanaian officials said the identification of the deceased contradicted earlier claims by some South African authorities regarding the victim’s identity.
The ministry said the government, through Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria, facilitated the repatriation of the body with the consent of Mr Isak’s family.
It said the government and the family had agreed to conduct an independent autopsy after unsuccessful efforts to obtain an official autopsy report from South African authorities.
Ghana renewed its call for a thorough investigation into the killing and urged South African authorities to ensure that those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.
“The Government of Ghana remains committed to pursuing all appropriate diplomatic and legal avenues to ensure that justice is served,” the ministry said.
Mr Isak is expected to be buried in accordance with Islamic traditions after the autopsy is completed.
The ministry extended its condolences to his parents, wife, children and other relatives, and said the government’s thoughts remained with the family following their loss.
The killing has drawn attention in Ghana amid concerns about the safety of foreign nationals in South Africa, where periodic outbreaks of xenophobic violence have resulted in attacks on migrants and foreign-owned businesses.
