The South African government has rejected Nigeria’s proposal to seek compensation for properties abandoned by Nigerians fleeing recent xenophobic attacks, saying legally acquired assets remain protected under its laws and do not qualify for government payouts.
Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, stated during a press briefing on Friday that Nigerians who legally own property in South Africa are free to sell or dispose of such assets through the country’s regulated property market.
She explained that all legitimate assets, including houses, vehicles and businesses, are formally registered under South African systems such as the Deeds Register, NATIS and the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), making state compensation unnecessary.
According to her, only properly registered assets are recognised under the law, while informal settlements and unapproved structures do not qualify for compensation as they are considered illegal.
Ntshavheni added that informal settlements cannot attract any government payout, stressing that such structures fall outside legal property rights in South Africa.
Her comments have, however, sparked controversy after she also urged Nigeria to identify locations allegedly linked to drug-related activities involving Nigerians in South Africa, saying authorities would act swiftly if provided with credible information.
The remarks come after Nigeria announced plans to pursue compensation for citizens who abandoned businesses and properties during episodes of anti-migrant violence.
Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Temitope Ajayi, had earlier said affected citizens were being asked to document details of their abandoned assets, including businesses, vehicles and properties, to support diplomatic discussions.
He said Nigeria was working with South African authorities to properly identify and verify such properties as part of ongoing negotiations.
So far, more than 850 Nigerians have been evacuated from South Africa following renewed xenophobic violence, with the Federal Government continuing diplomatic efforts to ensure their safety and address the fallout.
