The South African government has said it will not compensate Nigerian nationals who abandoned properties during recent anti-immigration protests, insisting that losses arising from individuals leaving the country are not the responsibility of the state.
Speaking on the issue, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, stated that Nigerians who legally own property in the country remain free to dispose of their assets through established legal processes.
However, she stressed that the government would not compensate anyone for financial losses resulting from their decision to leave South Africa.
She further clarified that informal settlements or properties occupied without legal ownership do not qualify for any form of compensation under South African law.
The statement comes amid ongoing diplomatic engagements between Nigeria and South Africa following reports that some Nigerians fled the country after anti-immigration protests and left behind homes, businesses, and other investments.
Nigeria’s Demand
The Nigerian government has been seeking protection for its citizens and their investments in South Africa following repeated incidents of xenophobic violence over the years.
Nigerian authorities have consistently urged South Africa to ensure the safety of Nigerians living and doing business there, investigate attacks on foreign nationals, prosecute those responsible, and provide appropriate compensation where citizens suffered verified losses due to violence or destruction of property.
In the latest discussions, Nigeria is reportedly pursuing compensation for assets allegedly abandoned by some of its citizens who left South Africa during recent anti-immigration unrest, arguing that affected individuals should receive redress where their losses resulted from attacks or insecurity.
South Africa’s Position
South Africa, however, maintains that compensation cannot be granted simply because individuals chose to leave the country.
According to Minister Ntshavheni, owners of legally acquired property still retain their ownership rights and may sell or transfer such assets through normal legal channels.
The government argues that there is no legal basis for compensating people for losses associated with relocation.
The South African government also drew a distinction between legally owned assets and properties occupied informally or without legal title, stating that only legally recognized ownership carries enforceable property rights.
Background
Relations between Nigeria and South Africa have periodically been strained by outbreaks of xenophobic violence targeting foreign nationals, including Nigerians.
Since the late 2000s, several waves of attacks on migrants have resulted in deaths, injuries, looting of businesses, and destruction of property, prompting diplomatic protests from Nigeria and other African countries.
Successive Nigerian administrations have called on South Africa to strengthen the protection of foreign nationals, while South African authorities have condemned xenophobic attacks and pledged to uphold the rule of law.
Both countries have continued to engage through diplomatic channels to address the safety of migrants and bilateral concerns, even as disagreements remain over compensation and responsibility for losses suffered during periods of unrest.
