South Africa denies Ghanaian death claims amid diplomatic tension

South African authorities have rejected reports that a Ghanaian national died during recent anti‑migrant demonstrations in Cape Town. The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a statement on Tuesday asserting that there is no record of any fatality involving a Ghanaian citizen linked to the protests that erupted on the city’s streets in early June. The claim of a death was initially circulated on social media and cited by the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria, which called for an investigation and the protection of Ghanaian migrants in South Africa.

Officials said the protests, which were sparked by rising tensions over immigration and competition for jobs, resulted in several arrests and property damage but no confirmed deaths. The South African Police Service confirmed that investigations are ongoing into isolated incidents of violence, while the Ghanaian embassy urged its nationals to remain vigilant and cooperate with local authorities. The denial underscores the diplomatic sensitivity surrounding migrant issues in the region and signals both governments’ intent to monitor the situation closely.