Gov’t repatriates Bashiru Isak’s body, calls for justice over South Africa killing

The body of Bashiru Isak, the Ghanaian who was shot dead in South Africa, has been returned home as the Government of Ghana intensifies efforts to secure justice over his killing.

Mr Isak, described by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a law abiding citizen and a devoted father of three, was fatally shot multiple times in Khayelitsha, a suburb of Cape Town, in an incident the government says was linked to the recent wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the ministry confirmed that Mr Isak’s remains arrived in Ghana on Tuesday, 14th July, at 6:40pm after being repatriated by the Government of Ghana through its High Commission in Pretoria, with the consent of his family.

Relatives of the deceased and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received the body at the airport before it was transferred to the 37 Military Hospital.

The ministry also dismissed what it described as false claims initially made by some South African officials regarding the identity of the victim, stating that it had confirmed beyond doubt that the deceased was Bashiru Isak.

As part of efforts to establish the full circumstances surrounding the killing, the government and Mr Isak’s family have agreed to conduct an independent autopsy. 

According to the ministry, both the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria and the family have been unable to obtain the official autopsy report from South African authorities.

The government renewed its call for swift investigations, the arrest of those responsible and their prosecution, insisting there must be no silence or cover up over what it described as the gruesome killing.

It also reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing every available diplomatic and legal avenue to ensure justice is served.

Mr Isak will be buried in accordance with Islamic customs after the independent autopsy is completed.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended its condolences to Mr Isak’s parents, wife, children, relatives and loved ones, saying the government continues to stand with the family in their grief.