By Kingston Magare 5.7.2026
Nigerian government officials on Sunday reacted to a South African cabinet minister mocking Nigeria for demanding compensation for its citizens who abandoned their properties in the wake of the ongoing xenophobic attacks.
Nigeria has evacuated about 800 of its citizens who registered to leave South Africa, but on Friday a cabinet minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said South Africa will not pay compensation and that Nigerians can sell registered properties they left behind on the South African market.
She added: “We would be interested to know where the drug dens of Nigerians are, so they can show us where they have been holding the drugs so we can clean the drugs in South Africa quite urgently.”
But Nigeria’s foreign affairs ministry noted that the remarks were derogatory and unacceptable.
“Such derogatory, unprofessional and uncensored generalised public statements by highly placed government officials constitute hate speech that influences and incites negative and criminal actions against members of the Nigerian community.
“The gang leaders of groups such as March on March and Operation Dudula, who incite violence and hate against fellow Africans, will also be held to account as a matter of regional and international criminal liability,” said the statement signed by Emeka Charles Iroebgu a media aide to the foreign affairs minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu
Meanwhile two Nigerians have been killed in South Africa by the police. One died in the police station while the other was killed in front of his shop.
Nigeria called on South African authorities to urgently investigate the two killings and other pending cases involving the extra-judicial killings of Nigerians and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice without delay.
“Our position remains that no matter what the allegations or suspicions may be, there are lawful processes and steps to justice. All must be presumed innocent and granted fair hearing in a court of law.”