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South African minister rejects compensation for Nigerians over lost property
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

South African minister rejects compensation for Nigerians over lost property

From Vanguard · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • South Africa's Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, rejected calls for compensation for Nigerians who lost property during xenophobic attacks.
  • Ntshavheni stated that only legally registered properties would be considered, while structures in informal settlements are deemed illegal.
  • The minister's remarks followed criticism from former Nigerian senator Shehu Sani, who expressed disbelief at her stance.

South Africa's Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, has firmly reiterated her government's refusal to compensate Nigerians who abandoned properties while fleeing recent xenophobic attacks. She declared she "didn't stutter" when initially rejecting the proposal, underscoring her government's firm position.

If you own a property in South Africa, 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.

— Khumbudzo NtshavheniSouth African Minister in the Presidency explaining her government's policy on property compensation.

The Nigerian government, through its Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Temitope Ajayi, had planned to document businesses and assets left behind by evacuated Nigerians to pursue compensation from the South African government. However, Ntshavheni stated at a press briefing that no compensation would be forthcoming from her administration.

We’ll be interested to know where the drug dens of Nigerians are so they can show us where they’ve been holding the drugs so that we can clean the drugs in South Africa quite urgently.

— Khumbudzo NtshavheniSouth African Minister in the Presidency making a controversial statement about Nigerians.

Ntshavheni explained that all legally owned properties in South Africa are formally registered. Conversely, she asserted that structures in informal settlements are illegal and thus ineligible for compensation. "If you own a property in South Africa, 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. She also controversially added, "We’ll be interested to know where the drug dens of Nigerians are so they can show us where they’ve been holding the drugs so that we can clean the drugs in South Africa quite urgently."

This is from a SENIOR Government official and NOT a thug from the streets.

— Shehu SaniFormer Nigerian senator reacting to Minister Ntshavheni's comments.

Her remarks drew criticism from former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani, who expressed disbelief on X, stating, "This is from a SENIOR Government official and NOT a thug from the streets." Responding directly to Sani, Ntshavheni defended her stance, writing, "I didn’t stutter. Any form of property obtained illegally won’t be compensated for."

I didn’t stutter. Any form of property obtained illegally won’t be compensated for.

— Khumbudzo NtshavheniSouth African Minister in the Presidency responding to criticism.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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