The Government of Ghana has repatriated the mortal remains of Bashiru Isak, the Ghanaian national who was shot and killed in South Africa amid the recent wave of xenophobic attacks.
In a statement issued on Thursday, July 16, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the deceased, who was fatally shot multiple times in Khayelitsha, a suburb of Cape Town, was Bashiru Isak, describing him as a law-abiding citizen and a loving father of three. The Ministry said this confirms the victim’s identity, contrary to earlier claims made by some South African officials.
With the consent of the bereaved family, Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria facilitated the repatriation of Mr. Isak’s body, which arrived in Ghana on Tuesday, July 14, at 6:40 p.m.
Family members and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received the body at the airport before it was transferred to the 37 Military Hospital.
The Ministry announced that the Government and Mr. Isak’s family have agreed to conduct an independent autopsy after efforts to obtain the official autopsy report from South African authorities proved unsuccessful.
The Government has renewed its call for swift investigations, the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the killing, insisting there should be no silence or cover-up surrounding the case.
Following the autopsy, Mr. Isak will be buried in accordance with Islamic customs.
The Government says it will continue to pursue all appropriate diplomatic and legal avenues to ensure justice is served, while extending its deepest condolences to the late Bashiru Isak’s parents, wife, children, relatives and loved ones.
Source : MFA
