‘I Didn’t Stutter’ — South African Minister Defends Refusal to Compensate Nigerians

South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, has defended her government’s decision not to compensate Nigerians who left properties behind while fleeing xenophobic violence, saying she “didn’t stutter” when she first made the position clear.

Ntshavheni made the remarks on Saturday in response to criticism from former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani.

The controversy followed an announcement by Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Temitope Ajayi, that the Nigerian government planned to document businesses and other assets abandoned by evacuated Nigerians with the aim of seeking possible compensation.

Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, Ntshavheni dismissed the possibility of compensation from the South African government.

She explained that legally owned properties are registered within South Africa’s system and can be sold legally, while properties located in informal settlements are regarded as illegal and therefore do not qualify 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.

Ntshavheni also stated, “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.”

Reacting via X, Shehu Sani condemned the comments, stressing that they came from a high-ranking official.

“This is from a SENIOR Government official and NOT a thug from the streets,” Sani wrote.

Replying directly to the former senator, Ntshavheni maintained her stance.

“I didn’t stutter. Any form of property obtained illegally won’t be compensated for,” she wrote.

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