South Africa Rejects Nigeria’s Compensation Request Over Xenophobic Attacks

South Africa Rejects Nigeria’s Compensation Request Over Xenophobic Attacks

The South African government has turned down Nigeria’s request for compensation for citizens who fled the country during the recent wave of xenophobic attacks, insisting that it will not pay for businesses, homes or other properties abandoned by affected migrants.

The decision follows an announcement by the Nigerian government that it had begun documenting losses suffered by Nigerians who returned home after renewed anti-immigrant violence forced many to abandon their investments and seek safety.

Earlier in the week, Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Temitope Ajayi, disclosed that the Federal Government was compiling records of businesses, houses and other valuable assets left behind by returnees. He said the documentation would form the basis of diplomatic engagements with South African authorities on possible compensation for victims.

According to Ajayi, the exercise is intended to ensure that Nigerians who suffered financial losses as a result of the violence receive appropriate consideration through bilateral discussions rather than through litigation.

However, South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, dismissed the proposal during a press briefing on Friday, maintaining that the South African government has no obligation to compensate anyone for properties abandoned during the unrest.

She explained that legally acquired properties remain protected under South African law and can be sold through the country’s property market, while structures erected in informal settlements are regarded as illegal and therefore cannot qualify for compensation.

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“There is no compensation that will come from government,” Ntshavheni said.

She added that owners of legally registered movable and immovable assets remain free to dispose of them through the appropriate legal channels if they choose to do so.

Ntshavheni also made controversial remarks linking some Nigerians to alleged drug-related activities, saying authorities would welcome information on locations allegedly used for criminal operations so they could be shut down.

“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,” she said.

The minister further stated that structures in informal settlements do not constitute legally recognised properties because such settlements violate South African planning and land-use regulations.

In addition, she announced that the South African Cabinet had approved fresh measures aimed at preventing demolished informal settlements from being re-established, describing the policy as part of broader efforts to strengthen urban management and law enforcement.

Nigeria’s compensation request comes amid renewed xenophobic violence targeting foreign nationals, particularly African migrants living and working in South Africa.

The latest attacks prompted hundreds of Nigerians to return home under government-assisted evacuation efforts, while many others reportedly abandoned businesses, homes and personal belongings over fears for their safety.

The Federal Government has maintained that law-abiding Nigerians who lost their investments because of the violence deserve protection and support. Officials say the documentation exercise is part of wider diplomatic efforts to address the humanitarian and economic consequences of the attacks.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has previously condemned xenophobic violence, stressing that no individual or group has the authority to take immigration enforcement into their own hands. He has pledged action against those responsible for inciting violence while urging communities to respect the rule of law.

The issue is expected to remain on the diplomatic agenda between Abuja and Pretoria, with both countries facing renewed pressure to strengthen cooperation on migrant protection, security and efforts to prevent recurring xenophobic attacks that have strained bilateral relations for years.

South Africa Rejects Nigeria’s Compensation Request Over Xenophobic Attacks