South Africa and Ghana’s Diplomatic Row Over Migrant Killing escalates over Ghana citizen’s death after South African government attacks immigrants South Africa and Ghana, two friendly African governments, are at loggerheads following the killing of a Ghanaian migrant during anti-immigrant violence that broke out recently in South Africa.
Ghana government officials summoned the South African envoy to protest the death and to inquire about the fate of their fellow countrymen resident in the country and then requested government to thoroughly investigate the death of their national, bring the culprits to justice, and beef up security of all foreign nationals from any kind of violence including xenophobia.
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In its reaction to the news, the government of South Africa conveyed condolences and an apology to the victim’s family, condemned the killing, but assured Ghana that the country was investigating the death and that it would bring the culprits to justice.
“The South African government wishes to express its condolences to the family of the deceased and condemn all forms of xenophobia and criminality targeted at foreign nationals.
The South African government assures Ghana that a full investigation into the matter has been initiated and that law enforcement agencies will leave no stone unturned to bring the perpetrators to justice.
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“The South African government also emphasizes that this incident should not be allowed to damage the close ties of friendship and economic partnership between the two African countries,” the South African Foreign Ministry said. In the past few days, there has been outbreak of violence in various parts of the African country in response to xenophobic acts directed at foreigners.
The demonstrations had reportedly turned to violent as South African demonstrators targeted businesses owned by foreign nationals and assaulted migrants, raising concerns about the safety of African immigrants living in the country.
But South African authorities dismissed the demonstration saying it was being orchestrated by some group in collaboration with opposition party to undermine the South African economy and the government.
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Ghanaian Ministry of Foreign Affairs however said it has been in close contact with their South African counterparts and its diplomatic mission in Pretoria since the outbreak of the unrest to ensure the safety of Ghanaian nationals and the proper investigation into the death of its national.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration wishes to reiterate its call on Ghanaian nationals resident in South Africa to remain calm, law-abiding and to cooperate with South African authorities as well as the Ghanaian High Commission in South Africa while observing all the safety advisories being issued in South Africa,” it added.
“The government of South Africa has conveyed its regrets over the death and has promised to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the incident.”
