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South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, has reaffirmed his government’s refusal to compensate Nigerians who abandoned businesses and other property as they fled recent xenophobic attacks, insisting he was “not stuttering” when he rejected the proposal.
Ntshavheni made the remark on Saturday while responding to criticism from former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani, over comments made during a press conference on Friday.
The exchange followed the Nigerian government’s decision to document businesses and other assets left behind by evacuated Nigerians with the aim of pursuing possible compensation from the South African government.
Nigeria documents abandoned properties
The Nigerian government, through the Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Temitope Ajayi, recently announced plans to gather details of businesses and other assets abandoned by Nigerians who left the country following the xenophobic attacks.
According to the Nigerian mission, the documentation exercise aims to establish a register of affected properties as part of efforts to pursue possible compensation for citizens forced to flee.
The move came after several Nigerians evacuated from South Africa reportedly left behind businesses, personal belongings and other valuables during the attacks.
However, the South African government has said it will not compensate those affected.
South Africa rejects the compensation proposal
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Ntshavheni rejected the proposal, insisting that South Africa has no basis to pay compensation to Nigerians who have left the country.
He explained that all legally owned properties in South Africa are formally registered, meaning that owners retain the right to dispose of such assets through the country’s property market.
According to her, the existence of an adequate legal registration system means that owners can sell both movable and immovable property without requiring state compensation.
He further argued that structures located in informal settlements are considered illegal and therefore are not eligible for any form of compensation.
“If you own a property in South Africa, those who leave their properties, if they are properly legally registered in the country, can dispose of the properties in the property market in South Africa, whether movable or immovable property,” Ntshavheni said.
The minister further said the authorities would be interested in identifying locations allegedly used by Nigerians for illegal drug activities.
“We will be interested to know where the Nigerians’ drug caches are so that they can show us where they keep the drugs so that we can clean up the drugs in South Africa with some urgency,” he added.
Shehu Sani criticizes the minister’s remarks
Ntshavheni’s comments drew a swift reaction from former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani, who criticized the tone of the minister’s remarks.
In a post on X, Sani expressed disbelief that such comments were made by a senior member of the South African government.
“This is coming from a SENIOR government official and NOT a street thug,” the former congressman wrote.
His reaction added a new dimension to the debate, with the exchange attracting attention on social media.
The minister is awaiting comments
Responding directly to Sani on Saturday, Ntshavheni defended his position and insisted he had spoken clearly during the briefing.
She maintained that there was no ambiguity in her previous statement and reiterated that no compensation would be paid for illegally obtained properties.
“I did not stutter. Any form of property obtained illegally will not be compensated,” he wrote.
His response underlined the South African government’s continued opposition to any claims for compensation arising from properties abandoned by Nigerians fleeing xenophobic attacks, even as Nigeria proceeds with efforts to document affected assets.
