…but Affected Nigerians can Pursue Claims Through Legal Channels
The South African government has rejected demands for compensation for Nigerians who say they lost homes, businesses and other properties during recent anti-migrant protests, a development that has heightened diplomatic tension between Africa’s two largest economies.
Speaking on behalf of the government, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on Tuesday that Pretoria will not provide direct compensation to foreign nationals affected by the unrest.
“The government will not be compensating,” Ntshavheni said. “Owners of legally registered properties or businesses can still manage or sell their assets through the country’s legal system.”
The minister’s remarks came days after Nigerian officials announced they were compiling a list of losses suffered by affected citizens and planned to pursue compensation through diplomatic channels.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said consular officials have been on the ground to document damages, including vandalized shops, burnt properties and displaced traders, mostly in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces where the protests were most intense.
The anti-migrant demonstrations, which erupted in some townships over the last two weeks, were driven by grievances over unemployment, crime and competition for business opportunities. Foreign-owned shops, including those operated by Nigerians, Somalis and Zimbabweans, were targeted in several areas.
While South African authorities condemned the violence and made arrests, the destruction has revived memories of the 2019 xenophobic attacks that also strained Nigeria-South Africa relations.
Nigerian officials have described the latest incidents as “a direct attack on the livelihoods of law-abiding Nigerians” and argued that government has a responsibility to protect foreign investments under bilateral agreements.
Ntshavheni insisted that South Africa’s legal framework already provides avenues for redress.
“Anyone who owns a legally registered property or business has rights under South African law. They can approach the courts, the police, or relevant agencies to address the matter,” she said.
She added that the government’s priority was to restore order, protect all residents and ensure that law enforcement holds perpetrators accountable.
Analysts say the refusal to offer compensation could further complicate bilateral trade and diplomatic engagement. Nigeria and South Africa are major trading partners, with South African companies like MTN, Shoprite and Standard Bank having significant investments in Nigeria.
A senior Nigerian diplomat, who asked not to be named, said Abuja was “disappointed” by the position but would continue engagement.
“We are documenting the extent of the losses and we will present them through the appropriate diplomatic channels. We expect that the South African government will act in line with international norms on the protection of foreign nationals and their property,” the official said.
The Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria has also urged affected citizens to report incidents and provide evidence to assist with the documentation process.
Both governments said discussions are ongoing to de-escalate tensions and prevent further attacks. The South African Police Service said additional deployments have been made to hotspot areas, while community leaders have been engaged to promote social cohesion.
For now, affected Nigerians have been told to seek remedy through insurance claims, civil suits, or the sale of assets, rather than expect a government bailout.
The incident shows the fragile nature of migration and economic integration on the continent, even as the African Continental Free Trade Area seeks to deepen cross-border commerce.
