The Ghanaian government has condemned the killing of its 40-year-old national, Bashiru Isak, in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, South Africa, on Monday, during anti-immigrant demonstrations.

In a statement on Wednesday, Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed sadness over the killing of its citizens and condemned the rising wave of violence targeting foreign nationals in South Africa.

“The Government of Ghana condemns, in the strongest terms, this senseless act of violence and the rising tide of xenophobia targeting African nationals, including Ghanaians, in South Africa,” the ministry said.

The ministry described the killing as unacceptable and called for those responsible to be brought to justice without delay.

It said that, on the instructions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria had formally registered Ghana’s protest with the South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation and subsequently filed a complaint with the South African Police Service.

“These steps were carried out after having confirmed the identity of the deceased and notified the bereaved family. At the request of the Government of Ghana, an autopsy has since been performed on the body,” it said.

The ministry also demanded a full, transparent and expedited investigation leading to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.

“We also reiterate our call on the South African authorities to ensure enhanced protection for all Ghanaian nationals in affected communities..

“The Ministry, through its High Commission in Pretoria, has formally registered Ghana’s protest to the South African authorities and has reiterated our expectation that, South Africa, in line with its international obligations, will guarantee the safety, dignity and rights of all foreign nationals on its territory, including Ghanaians,” it said.

The Peoples Gazette earlier reported that Ghana wrote a petition to the African Union Commission (AUC) over the continued xenophobic attacks against African nationals in South Africa.

The ministry added that the petition remains active, saying “Our formal petition on xenophobic attacks against African nationals in South Africa remains active and we expect the AU to treat the matter with the urgency it demands at its next statutory meeting.”

It also said arrangements were being made to repatriate Mr Isak’s body to Ghana for burial and extended its deepest condolences to his family.

President John Mahama earlier approved the evacuation of 300 Ghanaians from South Africa following xenophobic attacks against African nationals in the country.