South African Minister Ntshavheni’s anti‑Nigerian “drug dens” remarks spark diplomatic row

South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, told reporters the government wants to know “where the drug dens of Nigerians are” so that the drugs can be cleared “quite urgently.” She added that informal settlements are illegal and that no compensation would be paid to Nigerians who leave property in the country.

Nigeria’s foreign ministry responded that the minister’s comments were “derogatory, unprofessional and uncensored,” characterising them as hate speech that could incite violence against Nigerians living in South Africa. The ministry demanded urgent investigations into the killings of Nigerians amid anti‑migrant unrest – at least four deaths have been officially recorded since the violence began in April, with two more killed just before a June 30 deadline for undocumented migrants. Nigeria warned it could take action if the situation persists.