Fury Erupts: South Africa Accused of Complicity in Brutal Attacks on Ghanaians Amidst Xenophobia Crisis!

The South African government has strongly refuted claims made by Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs concerning the fatal shooting of a Ghanaian national in Cape Town, accusing Ghana of misrepresenting the incident. This diplomatic tension arises amidst renewed concerns over xenophobic violence in South Africa, with Ghanaian officials and commentators alleging state complicity in the attacks.

On July 2, South Africa’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, who chairs the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration, stated that Ghana’s account of events was “factually incorrect” and unsupported by police findings. The South African government explicitly rejected Ghana’s earlier indication that a Ghanaian national was fatally wounded on June 30 during anti-immigrant demonstrations linked to ongoing xenophobic attacks. Instead, South Africa maintains the victim was attacked at his workplace on June 29, in what police suspect was a criminal incident unrelated to any demonstrations. According to the Western Cape Police, the deceased was shot at a barbershop in Nyanga, where unknown suspects reportedly entered, demanded money, and shot him before fleeing. Police added that the motive is believed to be extortion-related, and investigations are ongoing.

Minister Kubayi expressed concern that Ghanaian authorities continued to communicate what she described as inaccurate information about developments in South Africa. She noted that no fatalities had been recorded during the period of the demonstrations and reiterated that isolated criminal incidents were being handled by law enforcement. Kubayi urged that diplomatic matters be handled through official channels, stressing the need for accurate communication. She also extended heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, assuring them that law enforcement authorities would investigate and bring perpetrators to book. The South African government further rejected suggestions that the incident reflects xenophobic violence, insisting that the spread of what it called false narratives is unacceptable and does not reflect the country’s position.

In contrast to the South African narrative, prominent Ghanaian figures have leveled serious accusations. Solomon Owusu, Director of Communications for the United Party, alleged on July 2 that the South African government is financing the recent attacks and killings of Ghanaians, claiming the violence is politically motivated and linked to the ruling party's declining support. His comments followed the fatal shooting of 40-year-old Bashiru Isak in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, on June 30, during demonstrations linked to ongoing xenophobic attacks. Mr. Owusu questioned why demonstrators were directing their anger at foreign nationals instead of government officials and institutions they believe have failed to address unemployment and other socio-economic challenges, holding the government accountable for failing to maintain law and order.

Fiifi Boafo, former Head of Public Affairs at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), further criticized the South African government, alleging that the resurgence of xenophobic violence is effectively being enabled or