Ghanaian national killed in Nyanga as SAPS disputes Khayelitsha shooting claims

Conflicting accounts surrounding the reported death of a Ghanaian citizen in Cape Town have raised fresh questions after the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Western Cape said it has no record of the alleged fatal shooting in Khayelitsha that was reported by Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

While Ghanaian authorities have called for an urgent investigation into what they described as a xenophobia-related killing, Western Cape police insist they cannot investigate the alleged incident without more information.

At the same time, police have confirmed a separate case involving the murder of another Ghanaian national in nearby Nyanga.

Police ask Ghanaian authorities for more information

Western Cape police said there is currently no murder case matching the details released by Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the reported death of Bashiru Isak, aged 40.

According to SAPS, no official case has been registered involving the alleged fatal shooting in Khayelitsha. Police have therefore appealed to the Ghanaian authorities to provide additional information that could help investigators determine whether such an incident occurred.

Officials said any available evidence, including the exact location, time of the incident or witness information, would allow detectives to investigate the matter properly if a crime had indeed taken place.

Ghana says victim died during anti-immigrant unrest

The confusion began after Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it had received reports that Bashiru Isak was fatally shot in Khayelitsha on Monday, 30 June 2026, during demonstrations allegedly linked to anti-immigrant violence.

The ministry said Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria had formally protested to South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation and had also lodged a complaint with SAPS.

According to the Ghanaian government, officials had confirmed the victim’s identity, informed his family and requested an autopsy.

Ghana has also urged South African authorities to carry out a transparent investigation and ensure the safety of Ghanaian citizens living in affected communities.

The ministry further stated that it has maintained its petition before the African Union Commission regarding xenophobic attacks against African nationals in South Africa and hopes the matter will receive urgent attention.

Separate murder confirmed in Nyanga

Although SAPS disputes the reported Khayelitsha case, police have confirmed the killing of another Ghanaian national in Nyanga a day earlier.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said 35-year-old Kwabena Boagen was shot and killed at the Nyanga Terminus outside an NTG hair salon and shoe repair business at approximately 3:45pm on Monday.

Emergency Medical Services declared him dead at the scene.

Investigators believe the circumstances surrounding the shooting point to criminal extortion rather than xenophobic violence, although the investigation remains ongoing.

A murder case has been opened by Nyanga detectives under Nyanga CAS 659/06/2026, with police confirming that they are working closely with the victim’s relatives.

Although Boagen lived in Khayelitsha, he was employed in Nyanga. A post-mortem examination is being conducted in accordance with South African legal procedures.

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