Mortal Remains Of Ghanaian National Killed In South Africa Repatriated Home

By Ebenezer Adu-Gyamfi & Emmanuel Ayiku | GhanaianNewsCanada | July 16,2026

The Government of Ghana has repatriated the remains of Bashiru Isak, the Ghanaian national who was killed during the recent wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, as efforts intensify to secure justice for his family.

In a statement issued on July 16, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Mr. Isak, a law-abiding father of three, was the victim fatally shot multiple times in Khayelitsha, a suburb of Cape Town.

The Ministry said the confirmation contradicts earlier claims made by some South African officials regarding the circumstances surrounding his death.

With the consent of his family, the Government of Ghana, through the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria, facilitated the return of Mr. Isak’s body to Ghana.

His remains arrived at Kotoka International Airport on Tuesday, July 14, where grieving family members and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received the body before it was transferred to the 37 Military Hospital mortuary.

Government Orders Independent Autopsy

Ghana has announced that an independent autopsy will be conducted before Mr. Isak is laid to rest.

According to the Ministry, the decision was taken jointly with the bereaved family after repeated but unsuccessful attempts by both the family and Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria to obtain the official autopsy report from South African authorities.

Officials believe the independent examination will help establish the circumstances surrounding the killing.

Ghana Renews Call for Justice

The Government has renewed its demand for a thorough investigation into the incident, insisting that those responsible must be identified, arrested and prosecuted.

The Ministry stressed that there must be no room for silence, delays or any attempt to conceal the facts surrounding the killing.

It reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to pursuing all available diplomatic and legal channels to ensure that justice is served.

Final Farewell

Following the completion of the independent autopsy, Bashiru Isak will be buried in accordance with Islamic traditions, the Ministry confirmed.

Government also extended its deepest condolences to Mr. Isak’s parents, wife, children, relatives and friends, assuring the family of its continued support during this difficult period.

The killing has sparked widespread concern both in Ghana and among the Ghanaian diaspora, with renewed calls for stronger protections for African migrants living in South Africa and greater accountability for acts of xenophobic violence.