“Show Us Nigerians’ Drug Dens” – South Africa Rejects Compensation Demand Over Xenophobic Attacks

South Africa has rejected Nigeria’s request for compensation for citizens who left behind businesses and other property after being evacuated from the country due to renewed xenophobic attacks.

The evacuation followed fresh violence targeting African migrants living in South Africa.

Earlier this week, Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Temitope Ajayi, revealed that the government was documenting businesses and properties abandoned by Nigerians who returned home.

According to Ajayi, the records would be used during discussions with South African authorities over the possibility of compensation for affected citizens.

However, South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, dismissed the idea during a press briefing on Friday.

Ntshavheni maintained that legally owned properties are registered with the relevant authorities, while structures in informal settlements are considered illegal and are not recognised by the government.

Instead of discussing compensation, she demanded information about locations linked to drug-related activities by some Nigerians in South Africa.

“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,” Ntshavheni said.

“Squatter camps and informal settlements are never properties because they are illegal in the country. 
So you are already violating our law if you are going to tell us about a shack in some informal settlement.”

“So there’s no compensation that will come from government. Those who leave their properties, if they are properly legally registered in the country, they can dispose of the properties in the property market in South Africa — whether it’s a movable or immovable property. 
And we are going to seriously appreciate to be told where are the drug dens.”

Ntshavheni also disclosed that the South African government has approved new measures aimed at preventing informal settlements from being rebuilt after they have been demolished.

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