Government Demands Justice After Killing in South Africa, Repatriates Bashiru Isak’s Body
The government has repatriated the body of Mr Bashiru Isak, the Ghanaian national who was killed during the recent wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, as it renewed calls for a swift investigation and prosecution of those responsible for his death.
In an update to its earlier statement issued on July 1, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the victim fatally shot multiple times in Khayelitsha, a suburb of Cape Town, was indeed Mr Bashiru Isak, describing him as a law-abiding citizen and a loving father of three.
The Ministry said the confirmation contradicts claims initially made by some South African officials regarding the identity of the deceased.
“The Ministry sadly confirms that the deceased Ghanaian who was fatally shot multiple times in Khayelitsha, a suburb of Cape Town, South Africa, was indeed Bashiru Isak, a law-abiding and loving father of three. This irrefutable fact is contrary to false claims initially made by some South African officials,” the statement said.
With the consent of Mr Isak’s family, the Government of Ghana, through the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria, arranged for the repatriation of his remains. The body arrived at Kotoka International Airport on Tuesday at 6:40 p.m.
Family members and senior officials from the Ministry received the body at the airport before it was transferred to the 37 Military Hospital.
The Ministry expressed condolences to Mr Isak’s parents, wife, children, friends, and loved ones, saying that the government’s thoughts and prayers remain with the family during this difficult period.
The government has also agreed with the family to conduct an independent autopsy after efforts by both the family and Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria to obtain an official autopsy report from South African authorities proved unsuccessful.
“The Ministry and Mr Isak’s family have agreed to conduct an independent autopsy, particularly as our High Commission in Pretoria and Mr Isak’s family have been unsuccessful in obtaining an autopsy report from South African authorities,” it noted.
The Ministry renewed Ghana’s demand for justice and called on South African authorities to expedite investigations into the killing.
“We expect expedited investigations, arrests and prosecution. There must be no room for silence or cover-ups in the gruesome killing of Mr Isak,” it said.
It added that Mr Isak would be buried in accordance with Islamic customs after the autopsy is completed.
The Ministry said the Government of Ghana remains committed to pursuing all appropriate diplomatic and legal avenues until those responsible for the killing are brought to justice.
Joyce Adwoa Animia Ocran, ISD
