The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that the remains of Bashiru Isak, a Ghanaian citizen who was killed in South Africa during an incident associated with the recent surge of xenophobic violence in the country, have been returned to Ghana.
According to the Ministry, Mr. Isak’s body arrived at Accra International Airport on Tuesday, July 14, following the facilitation of its return by the Government of Ghana through its High Commission in Pretoria, with the agreement of his family.
Family members, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were present to receive the body at the airport before it was taken to the 37 Military Hospital.
The ministry confirmed that the individual who was tragically shot multiple times in Khayelitsha, a suburb of Cape Town, was indeed Bashiru Isak, describing him as “a law-abiding and loving father of three.”
This confirmation refuted “false claims initially made by some South African officials” regarding the identity of the victim.
The government, in conjunction with Mr. Isak’s family, has decided to carry out an independent autopsy after they were unable to secure an autopsy report from South African authorities through Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria.
“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.
It was noted that Mr. Isak would be laid to rest in accordance with Islamic customs once the autopsy is completed.
The ministry further emphasised that the government is dedicated to pursuing “all appropriate diplomatic and legal avenues” to ensure that justice is achieved, while also extending its condolences to Mr. Isak’s parents, wife, children, friends, and loved ones.
