South Africa Refutes Ghana’s Xenophobia Allegations Over Cape Town Death

South Africa’s government has dismissed Ghana’s accusation that a Ghanaian national was murdered amid anti‑migrant demonstrations in Cape Town, stating that the police investigation found no connection to xenophobic unrest. The dispute has escalated into a diplomatic row, with both capitals exchanging statements over the circumstances surrounding the death.

Ghana’s foreign ministry alleged that the victim, a Ghanaian citizen, was killed during a wave of anti‑immigrant protests that have periodically erupted in parts of South Africa. Accusations of xenophobia have been a recurring theme in South‑African politics, prompting concern from several African states. However, South African officials contend that the incident was unrelated to any protest activity.

According to the South African Police Service, the investigation into the death concluded that the killing resulted from a personal dispute rather than a politically motivated attack. Police spokespersons emphasized that forensic evidence and witness testimonies did not support the claim that the victim was targeted because of his nationality.

Ghana’s ambassador to South Africa, while not providing detailed evidence, reiterated the Ghanaian government’s position that the death was part of a broader pattern of hostility toward migrants in the country.

In response, South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation issued a statement affirming that the nation remains committed to protecting the rights of all foreign nationals on its soil. The department highlighted that the country’s legal framework criminalises hate‑driven violence and that any allegations of xenophobia would be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly.