​SA Denies Compensation for Evicted Nigerians, Targets Alleged Drug Dens

​The South African government has firmly rejected demands for compensation from Nigerians fleeing the country amid a recent wave of anti-migrant unrest, stating that no payouts will be made for abandoned properties or businesses.

​Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, addressed the escalating diplomatic tension on Friday, drawing a sharp line between legally registered assets and what she termed illegal structures.

​Legal Ownership vs. Informal Settlements

​Minister Ntshavheni clarified that the South African government recognizes only formally registered property. “If you own a property in South Africa, it’s registered with the Deeds Register; if it’s a car, it’s in the NATIS system; if it’s a business, it’s with the CIPC,” she explained.

​She emphasized that property situated in informal settlements—often referred to as squatter camps—does not qualify for protection or government compensation under South African law. “Informal squatter camps and settlements are never properties because they are illegal in the country. So you are already violating our law if you tell us about a shack in an informal settlement. There is no compensation that will come from the government.”

​The Minister noted that foreign nationals with legitimate, legally registered assets are free to dispose of them through the property market before departing, but the state holds no liability for informal structures cleared during enforcement operations.

ADVERTISEMENT

​Focus on ‘Drug Dens’

​In a provocative turn during her briefing, Minister Ntshavheni diverted the conversation toward law enforcement, calling for information on the locations of illicit drug operations allegedly linked to Nigerian nationals.

​“We’ll be interested to know where the drug dens of Nigerians are so they can show us where they’ve been holding the drugs so that we can clean the drugs in South Africa quite urgently,” she stated.

​Diplomatic Strain

​The statement comes as the Nigerian government attempts to navigate the fallout of recent xenophobic incidents, which have forced thousands of its citizens to leave South Africa. The Nigerian Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Alexander Ajayi, recently confirmed that his office has begun documenting abandoned businesses and properties with the intent of presenting them to the South African authorities for potential compensation.

​This development highlights a growing rift between Pretoria and Abuja. While Nigeria seeks a diplomatic resolution to protect the economic interests of its departing citizens, South Africa’s stance remains focused on strict adherence to property law and an aggressive crackdown on criminal activities, particularly in the drug trade.

​The South African cabinet remains under pressure to address public concerns regarding illegal migration and crime, with recent policy statements indicating a push toward stricter regulation of small and informal businesses to ensure ownership by citizens.

​How would you like to explore the potential impact of these diplomatic tensions on trade relations between the two countries, or would you prefer a summary of the legal frameworks governing property rights in South Africa?