Ghana repatriates body of citizen killed in South Africa, demands justice

The Government of Ghana has repatriated the mortal remains of Bashiru Isak, the Ghanaian national who was fatally shot in South Africa earlier this month, and says it will conduct an independent autopsy as it intensifies efforts to secure justice for his killing.

In a statement issued on Thursday (16 July), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Isak’s body arrived in Ghana on Tuesday, 14 July, at 6:40 p.m. through arrangements facilitated by Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria with the consent of his family.

Senior officials from the ministry and members of the bereaved family received the body at the airport before it was transferred to the 37 Military Hospital.

The ministry confirmed that the deceased was Bashiru Isak, describing him as “a law-abiding and loving father of three,” and said the confirmation contradicted earlier claims made by some South African officials regarding his identity.

The government said it had agreed with the family to carry out an independent autopsy after repeated but unsuccessful attempts by both the family and Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria to obtain the official post-mortem report from South African authorities.

“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 Isak,” the ministry said.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry added that Ghana would continue to pursue all appropriate diplomatic and legal avenues to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

Isak was shot multiple times in Khayelitsha, a suburb of Cape Town, in circumstances the ministry said were linked to the current wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

Following the independent autopsy, the late Bashiru Isak will be buried in accordance with Islamic customs.

The ministry extended its condolences to Isak’s parents, wife, children, friends and loved ones, saying the government’s thoughts and prayers remain with the family during their bereavement.