The Federal Government has condemned comments by South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, linking Nigerians to alleged drug dens, describing the remarks as inflammatory and capable of inciting further attacks against Nigerians living in the country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued on Sunday by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the minister’s comments were unacceptable and strongly condemned.
“The unguarded public statements are unacceptable and are strongly condemned,” the statement read.
Ntshavheni made the remarks during a press briefing on Friday while responding to questions on compensation for Nigerians who reportedly abandoned their property following renewed anti-migrant violence in South Africa.
Instead of addressing the issue of compensation, the minister challenged the Nigerian government to identify 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 calls for compensation for affected Nigerians, insisting that informal settlements do not constitute 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.
The minister later defended her comments after former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, criticised them on social media, responding: “I didn’t stutter.”
Reacting, the Federal Government warned that remarks by senior South African officials could fuel xenophobia and expose innocent Nigerians residing in the country to renewed attacks.
