South Africa Dismisses Nigeria's Compensation Demand for Evacuated Citizens
South Africa has officially rejected Nigeria's request for compensation for citizens who evacuated during recent xenophobic tensions. Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni stated that legally owned properties can be sold through South Africa's property market rather than compensated by the government. The decision follows Nigeria's evacuation of hundreds of citizens who abandoned businesses and properties amid fears of xenophobic attacks.
Minister Ntshavheni's Stance: 'No Compensation'
Speaking during a press briefing, Ntshavheni dismissed the proposal, saying, 'So there's no compensation that will come from the government.' She explained that legally owned properties remain registered in the owners' names and can be disposed of in the property market. 'Those who leave their properties, if they are properly legally registered in the country, they can dispose of the properties in the property market in South Africa, whether it's movable or immovable property,' she said. The minister added that structures in informal settlements would not be recognized for compensation because they are illegal under South African law. 'Squatter camps and informal settlements are never properties because they are illegal in the country,' she asserted.
Social Media Clash with Shehu Sani
The issue escalated on social media after former Kaduna Central senator Shehu Sani criticized Ntshavheni's remarks on X. Reacting to her comments, Sani wrote: 'This is from a SENIOR Government official and NOT a thug from the streets.' Ntshavheni responded directly, standing firmly by her earlier position: 'I didn't stutter. Any form of property obtained illegally won't be compensated for.'
Nigeria's Evacuation and Documentation Efforts
The diplomatic disagreement comes after Nigeria evacuated hundreds of its citizens from South Africa following fears of renewed xenophobic violence triggered by anti-immigration protests. The Federal Government arranged several evacuation flights, with hundreds of Nigerians returning home after abandoning businesses, rented apartments, and other assets. Officials said many more Nigerians also registered for voluntary evacuation as tensions escalated. Nigeria's Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Temitope Ajayi, had earlier disclosed that the Federal Government was compiling records of businesses and properties abandoned by returnees as part of efforts to engage South African authorities on possible compensation.
Ntshavheni's Controversial Drug Den Remark
The South African minister also stirred fresh controversy by asking Nigeria to identify locations allegedly used for drug-related activities by some Nigerians in the country. 'We'll be interested to know where the drug dens of Nigerians are so that we can clean the drugs in South Africa quite urgently,' she said during the briefing. This remark has further strained diplomatic relations between the two nations.
No Further Diplomatic Action Announced
Despite South Africa's rejection of compensation, Nigeria has not announced whether it will continue diplomatic engagements on the matter. The Federal Government has not indicated any next steps regarding the abandoned properties or the broader issue of xenophobic attacks against Nigerian citizens in South Africa.
