By Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
The South African government has issued a firm rebuttal to recent claims from Ghana regarding the death of a Ghanaian national in Cape Town. Officials in Pretoria insist the narrative presented by the Ghanaian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is fundamentally flawed. South African authorities maintain that the incident has been mischaracterized for political reasons. They argue that evidence gathered by the South African Police Service (SAPS) contradicts the reports reaching Accra.
Denial of xenophobic narrative
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi, who chairs the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration, addressed the discrepancies directly. She refuted allegations that the death was linked to anti-immigrant protests or xenophobic violence. Kubayi labeled the Ghanaian government’s version of events as “factually incorrect.” She pointed to a clear timeline inconsistency, noting that the demonstrations occurred on a different day than the reported shooting. “According to a statement by the Ghanaian authorities, issued on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, a Ghanaian national was fatally wounded in a shooting that occurred ‘on Monday, June 30, 2026, during anti-immigrant demonstrations linked to ongoing xenophobic attacks’,” Kubayi stated. She underscored the inaccuracy by adding, “In addition to being factually incorrect, because the irregular migration protests took place on Tuesday, 30 June 2026, this statement is not based on fact.”
Police findings on criminal motive
Western Cape police have provided specific details regarding the incident, characterizing it as an isolated criminal act rather than a targeted political event. Investigators determined the victim was attacked at a barbershop in Nyanga on June 29. According to local law enforcement, suspects entered the premises to demand money before opening fire. Minister Kubayi emphasized that this evidence points exclusively to criminal extortion. “The Ghanaian national who was fatally wounded was attacked at his place of work on Monday, 29 June 2026, in an incident that the police suspect as a criminal act, which is totally not linked to the alleged demonstrations,” she confirmed.
Call for diplomatic decorum
South African officials expressed significant concern over the quality of communication coming from their counterparts in Ghana. Minister Kubayi urged the Ghanaian government to utilize official diplomatic channels rather than propagating what she described as false narratives. She expressed frustration with the continued dissemination of inaccurate information regarding the safety climate in South Africa. “It is concerning that Ghanaian authorities continue to communicate false information about South Africa regarding developments on irregular migration,” she noted.
Reassurance to the affected family
Despite the tension surrounding the diplomatic disagreement, the South African government maintained a focus on the ongoing criminal investigation. Authorities have pledged to track down the suspects involved in the Nyanga shooting. Minister Kubayi offered her condolences to the family of the deceased while reaffirming the government’s commitment to the rule of law. “We regret all loss of life on our shores and would like to send our heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and assure them that our law enforcement authorities will investigate this matter and bring the perpetrators to book,” she said. Law enforcement is currently seeking public assistance to identify those responsible.
Commitment to regional stability
The South African government maintains that its migration management efforts remain focused on upholding the rule of law and protecting the safety of all individuals residing within its borders. By addressing these isolated criminal incidents through established legal frameworks, Pretoria aims to preserve international relations while preventing the escalation of unfounded regional tensions.
Navigating bilateral tensions
For citizens in both Ghana and South Africa, this diplomatic friction highlights the ongoing challenges of managing migration within the framework of Pan-African solidarity. While Accra continues to prioritize the safety of its diaspora, Pretoria insists that standardizing communication is vital to prevent local criminal issues from being misconstrued as state-sanctioned violence. The path forward remains dependent on transparent, fact-based cooperation between both nations to ensure that the pursuit of justice is not overshadowed by misinformation.
