FG slams South African minister over remarks targeting Nigerians

The federal government has condemned remarks by South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, describing her comments linking Nigerians to alleged drug dens as inflammatory and capable of inciting further attacks against Nigerians living in the country.

Ntshavheni made the remarks during a press briefing on Friday while responding to questions on compensation for Nigerians who abandoned their property following renewed anti-migrant violence in South Africa.

Rather than discussing compensation, the minister challenged Nigeria to disclose the locations of alleged drug dens operated by Nigerians.

“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.

She also dismissed suggestions that the South African government should compensate affected Nigerians, arguing that informal settlements do not qualify as legal property.

“Squatter camps and informal settlements are never properties because they are illegal in the country… There’s no compensation that will come from government,” Ntshavheni stated.

After former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani, criticised her comments on social media, the minister stood by her remarks, replying: “I didn’t stutter.”

Reacting on Sunday, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the statements as unacceptable and warned that such comments from senior government officials could fuel xenophobia and violence against innocent Nigerians.

In a statement signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the Federal Government said, “The unguarded public statements are unacceptable and are strongly condemned.”