South Africa has ruled out compensation for Nigerians who left properties behind after being evacuated from the country, insisting that assets allegedly acquired illegally or located in informal settlements will not qualify for any reimbursement.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ELLAN.png")
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-Summer-IDRI-Masterclass.jpg")
The position was restated by South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, following suggestions that Pretoria could compensate affected Nigerians who lost or abandoned property during previous episodes of anti-migrant violence.
Her remarks came after Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Temitope Ajayi, disclosed that the Nigerian government was considering possible avenues of compensation for citizens whose assets were allegedly lost or abandoned following evacuation from South Africa.
Responding at a media briefing, Ntshavheni maintained that South Africa had no basis to compensate for properties outside the country’s legal framework.
According to her, legitimate properties in South Africa are formally registered with the relevant authorities, while structures in informal settlements are illegal and not recognised under the law.
She advised affected migrants who own legally acquired properties to dispose of them through the property market rather than expect compensation from the South African government.
“People with legitimate properties should sell them in the property market,” she said.
The minister’s comments drew criticism from former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani, who expressed surprise at the tone of the statement.
“This is from a senior government official and not a thug from the streets,” Sani wrote on his verified X handle.
Ntshavheni, however, stood by her position, responding: “I didn’t stutter. Any form of property obtained illegally won’t be compensated for.”
The minister also renewed South Africa’s call on the Nigerian government to provide information on locations allegedly being used for drug-related activities, saying such intelligence would assist law enforcement agencies in tackling organised crime.
The latest exchange comes amid renewed tension over the treatment of Nigerians and other African migrants in South Africa.
Anti-migrant groups in the country have been pushing for the removal of foreign nationals, claiming that undocumented migrants are taking jobs and public services from South Africans.
One of such groups, March and March, had reportedly issued an unofficial June 30 deadline for migrants to leave the country.
Its leader, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, was quoted as telling supporters in Durban that South Africans had been “replaced by illegal foreigners,” adding that the group wanted mass deportations.
“We want mass deportation,” she said. “For the next six months we want the government to get rid of the people who have not left.”
After the deadline, some anti-migrant groups reportedly broke into homes and hotels where they alleged migrants were hiding.
In one viral footage, a man, his pregnant wife and children were seen being chased out of their home while he repeatedly told the crowd, “My wife is pregnant.”
Police said at least two Mozambicans, an Ethiopian and a Malawian had been killed in the latest wave of anti-immigrant violence.
Several African governments, including Nigeria, Malawi, Ghana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, have organised voluntary repatriation flights and buses for their citizens.
Authorities said more than 25,000 people had been processed for departure in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, some Nigerians who remained in South Africa were reported to have taken steps to defend themselves amid the rising tension.
In a video circulated online, two opposing groups were seen facing each other across a makeshift line marked with ropes, while police officers stood between them in an apparent attempt to prevent violence.
The commentator in the video claimed that Nigerians were waiting for the South Africans to cross the line, while some individuals on the Nigerian side appeared to be carrying cutlasses and other light weapons.
A gunshot was also heard in the recording, prompting chants from the crowd as the situation became increasingly chaotic.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Nigerian nor South African authorities had issued an official statement on the incident.
The Nigerian government has repeatedly condemned attacks targeting its citizens in South Africa and has urged South African authorities to guarantee their safety.
Through the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, officials have maintained contact with affected Nigerians while advising them to remain calm, avoid flashpoints and report threats to security agencies.
Relations between Nigeria and South Africa have been strained several times over recurring xenophobic violence, with attacks on foreign nationals prompting diplomatic protests, evacuation of Nigerians and renewed calls for stronger protection of migrants and their investments.
_______________________________________________________________________ LAWBREED NEW WIG SPECIAL OFFER — Give a newly called lawyer a lasting professional gift.
Get up to 20% off selected LAWBREED Supreme Court Reports, plus access to My S.C Extra, featuring Supreme Court judgments from 1972 to date. Call/WhatsApp: 08077011741 | 08077011755 | 08077011730 | 08023269613 Email: orders@lawbreed.com | mails@lawbreed.com
LAWBREED — Equipping You For Greater Success!
______________________________________________________________________
“Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
As an added bonus, every purchase comes with a FREE ebook titled: “How to use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion.”
Ohio Books Ltd praises the publication, stating:
"....this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic."
How to Order:
📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878
📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com
🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACiarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
_______________________________________________________________________
“Order Justice Omolaye-Ajileye’s Electronic Evidence Books Now” — Essential Guides On Evidence Act, Case Law And Digital Proof
