The South African government has rejected Nigeria’s request for compensation for properties abandoned by Nigerians evacuated during recent xenophobic attacks, insisting that no government compensation will be paid.
The evacuations followed renewed attacks on African migrants in South Africa.
Earlier, Nigeria’s acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Temitope Ajayi, said the Federal Government had begun documenting businesses and properties left behind by returnees to support discussions with South African authorities on possible compensation.
Responding on Friday, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni dismissed the request, saying only legally registered properties are recognised under South African law, while structures in informal settlements are illegal and do not qualify for compensation.
She also urged Nigeria to identify locations allegedly used as drug dens by Nigerians in South Africa.
“We’ll be interested to know where the drug dens of Nigerians are… so that we can clean the drugs in South Africa quite urgently,” Ntshavheni said.
She added that owners of legally registered properties are free to sell or dispose of them through the property market, stressing that the South African government would not compensate anyone for structures built in illegal settlements.
The minister further disclosed that the government had approved measures to prevent the re-establishment of informal settlements after they are demolished.
