No Compensation for Nigerians Who Fled Xenophobic Attacks — South Africa

South Africa has turned down Nigeria’s request for compensation for citizens who reportedly abandoned their businesses and properties following renewed xenophobic attacks in the country.

The Nigerian government had earlier indicated that it was gathering records of businesses and properties left behind by Nigerians who returned home as part of plans to pursue compensation discussions with South African authorities.

Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Temitope Ajayi, recently disclosed that the Federal Government had commenced documentation of losses suffered by affected Nigerians to support possible compensation claims.

But South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, speaking at a Friday press briefing, dismissed the idea of compensation, maintaining that the government would not pay for properties abandoned by fleeing migrants.

According to her, properties that are legally owned are registered with government authorities and can be sold through the country’s formal property market, while structures in informal settlements are illegal and not recognised as valid 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,” Ntshavheni said.

She added: “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.”

The minister further stated: “So there’s no compensation that will come from government. 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. And we are going to seriously appreciate being told where the drug dens are.”

Ntshavheni also revealed that the South African government had adopted new measures to stop informal settlements from re-emerging after demolition exercises.

The controversy comes amid renewed xenophobic violence against African migrants in South Africa, which has forced many Nigerians to leave the country due to security fears.

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