South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni

Saturday 4th, July 2026

By Admin 

South Africa's Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, has defended her government's refusal to compensate Nigerians who lost businesses and properties during recent xenophobic attacks, dismissing criticism from former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani.

The minister's reaction followed comments by Shehu Sani, who faulted South Africa's position after it rejected Nigeria's demand for compensation for affected citizens.

Responding on Saturday, Ntshavheni insisted she stood firmly by her earlier statement, declaring that she "didn't stutter" when she said the South African government would not compensate Nigerians who abandoned their properties while fleeing the violence.

According to her, South Africa has no legal obligation to compensate owners of properties that are not legally registered. She explained that properties lawfully acquired remain protected under the country's laws and can be sold through the property market, while structures located in informal settlements are considered illegal and therefore do not qualify for compensation.

The minister also challenged Nigerian authorities to provide information on alleged drug dens linked to criminal activities, saying such intelligence would assist South African security agencies in addressing organised crime.

The exchange comes amid growing diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks that displaced many Nigerians. While the Nigerian government has indicated it is documenting losses suffered by its citizens as part of efforts to seek compensation through diplomatic channels, South Africa has maintained that compensation will not be paid, arguing that only legally recognised properties are protected under its laws.