The body of Bashiru Isak, the Ghanaian national who was killed during South Africa’s recent wave of xenophobic attacks, has been returned to Ghana, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the ministry said Mr. Isak’s remains arrived at Kotoka International Airport on Tuesday, July 14, at approximately 6:40 p.m. The repatriation was coordinated by the Government of Ghana through its High Commission in Pretoria, with the consent of the deceased’s family.
Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of Mr. Isak’s family were present to receive the body before it was conveyed to the 37 Military Hospital.
The ministry identified the deceased as Bashiru Isak, who was reportedly shot several times in Khayelitsha, a township in Cape Town. It described him as a peaceful and hardworking Ghanaian as well as a devoted father of three.
According to the statement, the confirmation of Mr. Isak’s identity contradicts earlier claims made by some South African officials, which the ministry said inaccurately identified the victim.
The government, in consultation with the family, has decided to conduct an independent autopsy. The ministry explained that the decision was taken after Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria and the family were unable to obtain the official post-mortem report from South African authorities.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated Ghana’s call for justice, urging South African authorities to expedite investigations into the killing, identify those responsible and ensure they are prosecuted.
“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 statement said.
The ministry noted that Mr. Isak will be buried in line with Islamic traditions once the independent autopsy has been completed.
It further assured the public that the Government of Ghana will continue to pursue all necessary diplomatic and legal measures to seek justice for the deceased while expressing its condolences to his parents, wife, children and the entire bereaved family.
