A Ghanaian tailor has been shot and killed in his shop in Cape Town, South Africa, during violent protests targeting foreign nationals, the Ghana High Commission in South Africa has confirmed.
The victim, who had lived and worked in South Africa for about 20 years, was reportedly inside his shop on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, when he was shot as demonstrations linked to a nationwide anti-immigration campaign turned violent.
He is survived by three children, with the eldest said to be 10 years old.
The Ghana High Commission said arrangements are underway to repatriate the body to Ghana to enable burial and other family rites.
The incident forms part of a wider wave of unrest tied to growing anti-immigration sentiments in South Africa, which have in some instances escalated into attacks on foreign nationals and their businesses.
Tuesday’s demonstrations were organised around a self-declared “30 June deadline” set by the civic group _March and March_, led by Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma. The group first issued the notice in December 2025, calling on undocumented foreigners to leave South Africa.
The protests spread nationwide through 2026 and have been linked to xenophobic and violent actions against foreigners. More than 20 civic groups took part in marches across all nine provinces on the day.
In Johannesburg’s CBD, several people suspected by protesters of being foreign nationals were confronted by crowds. A small group was shielded from assault and escorted to safety bystanders, according to reports.
The High Commission has not yet released the name of the deceased as it continues to engage South African authorities and the victim’s family.
Source: myjoyonline