South Africa Rejects Nigeria’s Demand For Compensation Over Xenophobic Attacks | Daily Report Nigeria
BySodiq OlaitanJuly 4, 20262 min readSouth Africa rules out compensation for Nigerians who fled xenophobic attacksGovernment tells affected Nigerians to sell legally owned properties through the. . .
BySodiq OlaitanJuly 4, 20262 min readSouth Africa rules out compensation for Nigerians who fled xenophobic attacksGovernment tells affected Nigerians to sell legally owned properties through the marketMinister links alleged criminal activities to some abandoned propertiesThe South African government has rejected Nigeria’s request for compensation for citizens who abandoned their businesses and properties while fleeing renewed xenophobic attacks in the country. The Nigerian government had begun compiling records of businesses and properties left behind by returnees as part of efforts to seek compensation from South African authorities. ATTENTION:Click“HERE”to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly onyour WhatsApp!Earlier this week, Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa,Temitope Ajayi, disclosed that the Federal Government was documenting the losses suffered by affected Nigerians to facilitate discussions on possible compensation. However, South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency,Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, dismissed the request during a press briefing on Friday, insisting that the government would not compensate anyone for abandoned properties. She maintained that legally owned properties are duly registered and can be sold through the country’s property market, while structures in informal settlements are illegal and cannot qualify for compensation. “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. READ ALSO:FG Moves to Secure Compensation for Nigerians Abandoning Businesses in South AfricaShe added that shacks in informal settlements are illegal structures and do not constitute recognised property under South African law. According to her, owners of legally registered movable and immovable assets are free to dispose of them through the property market, stressing that the government would not pay compensation for abandoned assets. Ntshavheni also disclosed that the South African government had approved fresh measures aimed at preventing the re-establishment of informal settlements after they are demolished. The development comes amid renewed xenophobic attacks targeting African migrants in South Africa, forcing many Nigerians and other foreign nationals to flee over growing security concerns. For publication of Press Releases, Statements, and Advert Inquiries, send an email to[email protected]