South Africa Rejects Nigeria’s Compensation Request

The South African government has turned down Nigeria’s request for compensation for citizens who fled the country during the latest wave of xenophobic attacks and left behind businesses and other valuable property.

The Nigerian government had earlier disclosed that it was compiling details of businesses, homes and other assets abandoned by returnees. The information was expected to support discussions with South African authorities over possible compensation for affected Nigerians.

Earlier in the week, Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Temitope Ajayi, announced that the Federal Government had started documenting the losses suffered by Nigerians who returned home after the attacks. The exercise was intended to provide records that could be used during future talks between both countries.

Speaking during a press briefing on Friday, South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, dismissed the request. She said the South African government would not pay compensation for any property left behind by people who chose to leave the country.

She explained that legally owned properties are officially registered and can be sold through the country’s property market. According to her, buildings located in informal settlements do not qualify as recognised property because such settlements are considered illegal under South African law.

The minister also claimed that authorities would welcome information about locations allegedly linked to drug-related activities involving some Nigerians. She said such information would help security agencies tackle drug crimes across the country.

Ntshavheni maintained that anyone with legally registered property in South Africa remains free to dispose of it through the normal property market, whether the assets are movable or immovable. She insisted that this option removes any basis for compensation by the government.

She further disclosed that the South African government had approved fresh measures aimed at preventing demolished informal settlements from being rebuilt, as part of efforts to enforce planning and housing regulations.

The development comes as renewed xenophobic attacks against African migrants have forced many foreign nationals, including Nigerians, to leave South Africa over growing concerns about their safety.