The South African government has rejected Nigeria’s request for compensation for citizens who fled the country and abandoned their businesses and properties following the latest wave of xenophobic attacks.
The Nigerian government had earlier disclosed that it was documenting businesses, homes and other assets left behind by affected citizens as part of plans to seek compensation from South African authorities.
Earlier this week, Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Temitope Ajayi, announced that the Federal Government had commenced compiling records of the losses suffered by Nigerians forced to return home, with the aim of facilitating discussions on possible compensation.
However, speaking at a press briefing on Friday, South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, dismissed the proposal, maintaining that the government would not compensate individuals for properties abandoned in the country.
Ntshavheni argued that legally acquired properties are registered with the appropriate authorities and can be sold through South Africa’s property market. She added that structures located in informal settlements are illegal and therefore do not qualify as recognised property under the country’s laws.
She further stated that if Nigerians possess information about locations allegedly being used for drug-related activities, the South African authorities would welcome such information to enable security agencies take appropriate action.
The minister stressed that the government would not provide compensation for abandoned assets, insisting that owners of legally registered movable or immovable property remain free to dispose of them through lawful channels.
She also announced that the South African government has approved new measures aimed at preventing the re-emergence of informal settlements after they have been demolished.
The dispute comes amid renewed xenophobic attacks targeting African migrants in South Africa, a situation that has forced many Nigerians and other foreign nationals to flee the country over growing concerns about their safety and security.