South Africa has ruled out any compensation for Nigerians who left properties behind after being evacuated from the country.

The country insisted that assets acquired illegally or located in informal settlements will not qualify for any form of reimbursement.

The position was reaffirmed by South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who dismissed suggestions that Pretoria could compensate affected Nigerians for properties abandoned during previous episodes of unrest.

Her remarks came after Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Temitope Ajayi, disclosed that the Nigerian government was considering possible avenues of compensation for citizens whose assets were lost or abandoned following their evacuation.

Responding to the proposal at a media briefing, Ntshavheni maintained that South Africa had no basis for such compensation.

According to her, all legitimate properties in the country are formally registered with the relevant authorities, while structures in informal settlements are illegal and therefore not recognised under the law.

She advised affected migrants who own legally acquired properties to dispose of them through South Africa’s property market instead of expecting compensation from the government.