from RUSSELL ADADEVOH in Accra, Ghana
Ghana BureauACCRA,(CAJ News)– THE alleged killing of a Ghanaian national in South Africa during Tuesday’s nationwide protests against migrants in the latter is further rupturing diplomatic ties between the two countries
The Ghana High Commission in Pretoria has filed a complaint with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and protested with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) following the alleged murder of Bashiru Isak (aged 40) in Khayelitsha in Cape Town
He was allegedly killed on the so-called June 30 deadline for migrants to vacate South Africa
ashion designer. Reports indicated he was shot dead when militants nesieged hie work studio
Ghana has an active petition with the African Union Commission regarding xenophobic attacks against African nationals in South Africa
Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana Minister of Foreign Affairs, condemned the alleged act of violence and called for a transparent and expedited investigation as well as the prosecution of those responsible
“The Government of Ghana condemns in the strongest terms this senseless act of violence and the rising tide of xenophobia targeting African nationals, including Ghanaians, in South Africa. The taking of any life is unacceptable and those responsible must be brought to justice without delay.”
Ablakwa said plans were underway to repatriate the body of Isak to his family in Ghana for a befitting burial
“The ministry extends its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased during this difficult time,” the minister said
He assured, “Ghana will continue to pursue all diplomatic, consular and multilateral avenues to protect the lives and welfare of its citizens abroad and to ensure that such attacks are not repeated.”
Ghana has been the country most outspoken against South Africa over the ongoing violence, in the process sparking a publicised diplomatic tiff
Thema Forson, Ghanaian commentator, said, “While Pretoria continues to emphasize its adherence to the rule of law and is currently reviewing its migration policy framework, the persistence of these incidents continues to test the strength and resilience of these diplomatic ties.”
In an interview with CAJ News Africa, she said while the immediate outlook was tense, the future of the relationship was probably to be guided by whether South Africa’s efforts to restore order and manage migration could satisfy the concerns of its regional partners, including Ghana
The West African country has repatriated hundreds of its citizens from South Africa to shield them from violence
