South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni rejected Nigeria’s compensation demand at a press conference on Friday 4 July 2026 and controversially asked Nigerian authorities to disclose the locations of alleged drug dens operated by Nigerians in South Africa. Image: Supplied
South Africa has rejected Nigeria’s demand for compensation for businesses and properties abandoned by Nigerians who fled anti-immigrant violence. The South Africa Nigeria compensation rejection came from Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni on Friday 4 July 2026. Furthermore, Ntshavheni drew outrage after asking Nigerian authorities to disclose the locations of alleged drug dens in South Africa. As a result, a compensation dispute has turned into one of the most charged diplomatic exchanges between the two countries in years.
South Africa Nigeria Compensation Rejection: What Ntshavheni Said
Ntshavheni rejected Nigeria’s compensation request without hesitation. She said South Africa had no basis for paying compensation to Nigerians who left the country. Furthermore, she argued that all legally owned properties in South Africa are formally registered. As a result, owners can sell those assets through the property market without needing government compensation.
She dismissed claims about structures in informal settlements. “Squatter camps and informal settlements are never properties because they are illegal in the country,” she said. Furthermore, South Africa approved additional measures to prevent demolished informal settlements from being rebuilt. As a result, her position on compensation was clear from the start.
The Drug Dens Remark That Shocked Nigeria
Ntshavheni’s most damaging remarks came when she turned to drugs. “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,” she said. The remark drew immediate condemnation. Former Nigerian senator Shehu Sani expressed disbelief on X that a senior South African minister would say such a thing. Furthermore, critics described the comment as inflammatory and as linking an entire nationality to criminal conduct. As a result, Ntshavheni’s remarks have complicated South Africa’s diplomatic position significantly.
When challenged on Saturday, Ntshavheni stood firm. She said she did not stutter when she made the original statement. As a result, South Africa shows no sign of softening its position or withdrawing the drug dens remark.
What Nigeria Is Demanding
Acting Nigerian High Commissioner Temitope Ajayi announced the compensation push on Channels Television on 30 June 2026. The Nigerian government asked returning citizens to document all businesses, vehicles and property left behind before boarding evacuation flights. Furthermore, Ajayi confirmed that officials were compiling those records for formal discussions with South Africa.
“I have asked them before they left yesterday to document very accurately those things they were leaving behind in terms of businesses, in terms of even cars, movable and immovable properties. We can now take it up with the South African government. That is the next step we are going to take,” Ajayi said. As a result, Nigeria’s compensation push is a formal diplomatic position, not political rhetoric.
Nigeria Challenges the Undocumented Label
Ajayi also pushed back on South Africa calling repatriated Nigerians undocumented. He said many Nigerians were not undocumented by choice. “Many Nigerians are undocumented due to Home Affairs refusing to process their applications to renew their permits. It is a known fact and a major problem. However, they turn around and call you illegal which is unfair,” he said. Furthermore, delays in the Home Affairs system left many Nigerians in a legal grey area despite entering South Africa through proper channels. As a result, the undocumented question is more complicated than the official South African position suggests.
The Evacuations Continue
Nigeria has evacuated more than 850 citizens from South Africa across four flights. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved five Air Peace emergency flights. The first batch of 268 departed on 11 June 2026. A further 66 left in mid-June. A third group of 269 departed on 30 June. Furthermore, more than 1,000 Nigerians have been screened and cleared for future flights. As a result, Nigeria has made clear that repatriation will be followed by sustained diplomatic pressure.
A History That Makes This Moment Worse
Tension between Nigeria and South Africa over the treatment of Nigerian nationals is not new. In 2019, Nigerian businesses were targeted during anti-immigrant violence in Johannesburg. Nigeria summoned the South African high commissioner and threatened retaliation. In April 2026, at least two Nigerian men died during the latest wave of violence. One was allegedly beaten by SANDF officers. Furthermore, Nigerian Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu accused South Africa of failing to forcefully condemn violence against Nigerians. She said it had damaged the bond built during Nigeria’s support for the anti-apartheid struggle. As a result, Ntshavheni’s drug dens remark lands against years of accumulated grievance.
What Happens Next in the South Africa Nigeria Compensation Dispute
Nigeria confirmed its diplomatic engagement with South Africa will continue. “We are going to systematically follow up on the information given to us,” Ajayi said. Furthermore, formal engagement through the African Union and bilateral channels is expected to grow in the weeks ahead. As a result, the South Africa Nigeria compensation dispute is unlikely to be resolved quickly. Ntshavheni’s drug dens remark has ensured it will remain a flashpoint well beyond the immediate immigration crisis.
Mzansi Today Live will continue to follow this developing story as further information becomes available.
For more on South Africa’s official position visit dirco.gov.za.
Editors Note All information in this article is based on statements by Khumbudzo Ntshavheni at a press conference on 4 July 2026 and statements by Acting Nigerian High Commissioner Temitope Ajayi on Channels Television on 30 June 2026 and media reports published between 30 June and 4 July 2026. Mzansi Today Live will update this article as further information becomes available.