Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, South Africa’s minister in the presidency, has doubled down on the country’s stance against compensating Nigerians whose properties were left behind following their evacuation from the former apartheid nation.
Temitope Ajayi, acting Nigerian high commissioner to South Africa, had said the government planned to explore options for possible compensation.
Ntshavheni dismissed those possibilities in a press conference on Friday.
The minister said all legitimate properties are formally registered with authorities while informal settlements are illegal and unrecognised.
She asked migrants with properties to dispose of them in South Africa’s property market.
Shehu Sani, former senator representing Kaduna central, expressed shock at the minister’s comments.
“This is from a SENIOR Government official and NOT a thug from the streets,” Sani said.
Ntshavheni stood by her position in response.
“I didn’t stutter. Any form of property obtained illegally won’t be compensated for,” the minister replied.
Earlier, the minister asked Nigeria to provide information on locations allegedly used for drug-related activities.
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