The South African government has ruled out any form of compensation for Nigerian citizens who abandoned their businesses and properties after fleeing renewed xenophobic attacks in the country.

No fewer than 859 Nigerians have been evacuated so far since the March group renewed protests against foreigners in South Africa.

The group set a June 30, 2026, deadline for foreigners, especially undocumented foreign nationals, to leave the country.

Though South African authorities have distanced themselves from the group’s actions, many blame the government for not doing enough to ensure their safety.

Nigeria had disclosed plans to demand compensation for its nationals.

The Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Temitope Ajayi, said the Federal Government had begun documenting losses suffered by affected Nigerians to facilitate discussions on possible compensation.

However, South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, dismissed the proposal during a press conference on Friday, insisting the government would not compensate anyone for properties left behind.

According to Ntshavheni, legally owned properties are officially registered with the relevant authorities and can be sold through the country’s property market, while structures in informal settlements are illegal and therefore not recognised as legitimate property.

“We’ll be interested to know where the drug dens of Nigerians are. So they can show us where they have been holding the drugs so that we can clean the drugs in South Africa quite urgently,” she said.

“Squatter camps and informal settlements are never properties because they are illegal in the country. So you are already violating our law if you are going to tell us about a shack in some informal settlement.”

She added, “So there’s no compensation that will come from the government. Those who leave their properties, if they are properly and legally registered in the country, can dispose of the properties in the property market in South Africa — whether it’s movable or immovable property. And we are going to seriously appreciate being told where the drug dens are.”

Ntshavheni also disclosed that the South African government had approved new measures to prevent the re-establishment of informal settlements after their demolition. (The Nation)

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