The Nigerian government has begun compiling details of citizens who recently returned from South Africa following a wave of anti-migrant protests, as it prepares to pursue compensation for businesses, homes and other properties allegedly lost during the unrest.
Hundreds of Nigerians were among thousands of foreign nationals displaced after xenophobic demonstrations led by anti-migrant groups spread across parts of South Africa, forcing many to abandon their livelihoods and return home.
Authorities in Abuja said the information being gathered would be used to verify the extent of the losses before the matter is presented to South African authorities through diplomatic channels.
South Africa’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, recently disclosed that more than 50,000 foreign nationals have been processed for repatriation and deportation since the crackdown began.
Nigerian officials maintain that once the verification process is completed, requests for compensation will be raised at the highest diplomatic level.
However, the South African government has ruled out any compensation for affected foreign nationals.
Speaking on Monday, Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said Pretoria would not compensate returnees, arguing that many of the properties in question were located in informal settlements that are not legally recognised.
According to her, individuals living in such settlements were already in violation of the law, making compensation claims untenable.
The latest development highlights growing diplomatic tensions between the two countries following weeks of anti-migrant protests that have triggered one of the largest movements of foreign nationals out of South Africa in recent years.
Since the demonstrations began in June, tens of thousands of migrants have left the country, with the majority of repatriations involving citizens of Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Uganda and Nigeria.
