Ghana, South Africa clash over migrant's death

Ghana and South Africa have become embroiled in a fresh diplomatic dispute over the killing of a Ghanaian national, with Pretoria rejecting Accra's claim that the death was linked to anti-immigrant protests.

The row follows weeks of heightened tensions over demonstrations targeting undocumented migrants in South Africa, culminating in nationwide protests on Tuesday after an unofficial June 30 deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave the country.

According to South African authorities, more than 25,000 foreign nationals have left the country in recent weeks, with several African governments repatriating their citizens amid fears of xenophobic violence.

Ghana's Foreign Ministry said its citizen, 40-year-old Bashiru Isak, was shot dead during anti-immigrant demonstrations in Cape Town's Khayelitsha township and confirmed that it had formally protested to the South African government.

South Africa, however, dismissed the allegation as "factually incorrect", insisting no fatalities were recorded during Tuesday's protests.

"It is concerning that Ghanaian authorities continue to spread false information about South Africa regarding developments related to irregular migration," Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said in a statement, adding that portraying South Africa as xenophobic through misinformation was unacceptable.

Foreign affairs spokesperson Chrispin Phiri also criticised Ghana for releasing what he described as unverified information without first consulting Pretoria through diplomatic channels.

Police said their investigation indicated the shooting was likely linked to an attempted extortion rather than anti-immigrant demonstrations. According to police, a 35-year-old Ghanaian man was shot at a barbershop on Monday after armed suspects demanded money before opening fire.

Authorities said the victim's identity, location and the date of the incident differed from the details provided by Ghana.

A spokesperson for Ghana's Foreign Ministry said Accra was standing by its account.

The latest dispute comes weeks after South Africa warned Ghana against what it described as the spread of incomplete or misleading information during the evacuation of Ghanaian nationals amid rising anti-immigrant tensions.