Ghana receives body of first Xenophobic attack victim from South Africa as evacuees return home

The Ghanaian government on Monday received the body of one of two nationals killed in the recent wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, as a chartered flight carrying dozens of evacuated citizens touched down at Kotoka International Airport. Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa confirmed that while the first remains have been repatriated, diplomatic efforts are intensifying to secure the return of the second victim’s body.

Speaking to journalists at the airport’s VIP terminal, Ablakwa stood alongside officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ghana Immigration Service, and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) as the evacuees disembarked. “We have received the mortal remains of one of our compatriots who fell victim to these senseless attacks. We are in constant contact with South African authorities, and I can assure the grieving families that we will not rest until the second body is also brought home,” he said.

The minister’s remarks came after a poignant moment where the assembled officials observed a minute of silence in honour of the deceased, their heads bowed as the aircraft’s engines wound down. The identities of the victims have not been officially released, pending notification of next of kin, but sources indicate both were small-scale traders operating in the Pretoria and Johannesburg townships where the violence erupted two weeks ago.

Evacuation Operation Details

The repatriation of the body and the evacuation of the returnees—numbering at least 35 individuals according to preliminary counts—follows a weekend communiqué from the Foreign Ministry, which activated the National Emergency Evacuation Plan. The passengers, mostly women and children, appeared visibly shaken but relieved as they were escorted by security personnel to a processing area.

“We were sleeping when the mobs came, burning shops and throwing stones,” said one returnee, who asked to remain anonymous. “We lost everything, but we are alive. God bless the government for bringing us home.” The evacuees are being housed at a temporary reception centre, where they will receive psychosocial counselling, medical check-ups, and financial support to help them restart their lives.

Ablakwa emphasised that the government’s commitment extends beyond the immediate repatriation. “We are not merely bringing people back; we are also pursuing accountability. Our High Commission in Pretoria has been instructed to engage South African police and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to ensure that perpetrators are identified, arrested, and prosecuted,” he stated.

Background and Diplomatic Context

The attacks, which erupted in mid-July across several South African cities, have been described by Ghanaian officials as “unprovoked and barbaric.” They come amid rising tensions over unemployment and competition for informal trading spaces, but Ghanaian nationals—who number approximately 40,000 in South Africa—have historically been targeted during such outbreaks. In 2019, similar violence led to the death of two Ghanaians, triggering a diplomatic row between the two nations.

Ablakwa revealed that the Ministry has activated a 24-hour consular hotline for remaining Ghanaians in South Africa who wish to return, adding that a second evacuation flight is being scheduled for the coming days if demand persists. “We have made it clear to our South African counterparts that the safety of our citizens is non-negotiable. We expect their full cooperation not only in repatriating the second body but also in providing compensation and protection for those who choose to stay,” he said.

The Minister also thanked the South African government for facilitating the evacuation process, noting that while bilateral relations remain strong, the attacks have strained diplomatic goodwill. “We cannot gloss over this. We demand justice, and we demand that the South African government takes visible steps to prevent a recurrence,” he added.

Reactions and Next Steps

Family members of the deceased, who gathered at the airport perimeter, broke down in tears as the body was transferred to a waiting hearse. One relative, speaking to reporters, called on the government to press for a formal apology from Pretoria. “Our brother went there to earn a living, not to die. We want more than just his body; we want the South African state to acknowledge its failure to protect foreigners,” he said.

Meanwhile, NADMO officials confirmed that the returnees will be provided with temporary accommodation and a seed package to facilitate re-integration, including small grants for immediate needs. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also launched a portal for citizens to donate towards the rehabilitation of the evacuees.

As the sun set over Kotoka, the Foreign Minister issued a final assurance: “The government will stand with every Ghanaian, whether at home or abroad. This is a painful episode, but we will turn it into an opportunity to strengthen our consular protections and ensure that no Ghanaian ever feels abandoned again.”

The second victim’s body is expected to arrive within the week, pending the completion of South African forensic and bureaucratic processes. The Ministry has urged calm and patience as diplomatic channels work to expedite the procedure.