Western Cape police have offered a R50 000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those who murdered Ghanaian national Bashira Issaka in Nyanga.
- South African police are offering a R50 000 reward for the murder of a Ghanaian man killed over a protection fee in Nyanga, Cape Town.
- Bashira Issaka was shot dead on 29 June in front of his Nyanga business. He was initially identified by the false name “Kwabena Boagen”, which he used in South Africa.
- SA-Ghana diplomatic confusion was resolved after police verified his real identity with Ghanaian authorities.
Police in the Western Cape are offering a cash reward of up to R50 000 to anyone with information that can assist in the murder of a Ghanaian man in Nyanga, Cape Town.
Bashira Issaka was killed in a shooting incident on 29 June at about 15:45 in front of his hair salon and shoe repair shop.
According to police, the alleged perpetrator had demanded a protection fee from the victim.
The murder initially caused confusion when the Ghanaian Foreign Ministry stated Issaka had been killed in Khayelitsha, while police said they had no Khayelitsha case, only a Nyanga murder where the victim was identified as Kwabena Boagen, 35.
The victim resided in Khayelitsha but worked in Nyanga.
Police have since established that “Kwabena Boagen” was a false name the undocumented victim used in South Africa.
Police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala said:
At the time of the first police statement, he had been identified by people who knew him in the country under that name.
“The investigating officer liaised with the commissioner of Ghana, and upon verification, it was established that his real name was Bashira Issaka.”
Anyone with information that can assist with the investigation is requested to contact the investigating officer, Sergeant Donovan Peterson of Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes, on 084 684 0909, or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
“The investigating officer is exploring all avenues in a bid to bring the perpetrators to book and reaches out to the community for assistance,” said police spokesperson Thembakazi Mpendukana.
“Identities of those who offer their assistance will remain anonymous. A cash reward is offered for the successful arrest and conviction of the suspects.”
READ | SA cautions Ghana on disinformation, refutes reports of visit rejected over xenophobia
Issaka’s murder took place amid protests by anti-immigration groups calling for undocumented foreigners to leave the country, with the Ghanaian foreign ministry alleging that their citizens were being subjected to xenophobic violence.
This has placed some strain on relations between the two governments, with Ghana having tabled a debate on “Xenophobic Attacks in the Republic of South Africa against African Nationals” at the African Union Mid-Year Coordination Summit in Cairo, Egypt, last month.
It asked for the AU’s intervention and to assist in establishing the facts.
South Africa’s delegation rejected the “xenophobic” framing of the issue, arguing that the incidents were isolated. However, they acknowledged that there is a need for broader continental dialogue on migration.
