A Ghanaian tailor has been shot dead in his shop in Cape Town, South Africa, during violent protests targeting foreign nationals, the Ghana High Commission in South Africa has confirmed.
The victim, who is reported to have lived and worked in South Africa for about 20 years, was inside his shop on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, when he was shot as nationwide demonstrations linked to an anti-immigration campaign turned violent in parts of the country.
He is survived by three children, with the eldest reportedly around 10 years old.
The Ghana High Commission says arrangements are underway to repatriate the body to Ghana to enable burial and other customary family rites.
The incident forms part of a wider wave of unrest linked to rising anti-immigrant sentiment in South Africa, where protests have in some cases escalated into attacks on foreign nationals and their businesses.
The June 30 demonstrations were reportedly organised around a self-declared “deadline” issued by a civic group, which called for undocumented foreigners to leave the country. The protests spread across major cities, including Johannesburg and Cape Town, with multiple civic groups participating nationwide.
While some demonstrations remained peaceful, others descended into confrontation, with reports of foreigners being targeted or accused by mobs. In some instances, bystanders intervened to prevent assaults and escorted suspected victims to safety.
South African authorities had deployed heavy security ahead of the protests, with police resources mobilised and the military placed on standby. Government officials had earlier warned that while peaceful protest would be allowed, violence would not be tolerated under any circumstances.
The unrest has not been limited to a single day. Rights organisations have reported a series of xenophobic attacks in recent weeks, including killings and assaults involving foreign nationals in different parts of the country, prompting concern across the continent.
At least a few deaths had already been recorded in related incidents before the June 30 demonstrations, with several African governments reportedly assisting in voluntary repatriation efforts for citizens seeking to return home due to safety concerns.
Authorities in South Africa have not yet released full details on the shooting in Cape Town or confirmed any arrests in connection with the incident.
The Ghana High Commission has assured that it is working with South African authorities to ensure a full investigation into the killing, while also supporting the bereaved family through the repatriation process.
