The South African government is facing growing diplomatic pressure following the deportation and repatriation of thousands of undocumented immigrants, while also responding to criticism from Ghana and compensation demands from Nigeria.
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Most of those repatriated, including citizens of Ghana and Nigeria, were found to have overstayed their visas by more than 30 days and were declared undesirable under the Immigration Act, resulting in a five-year ban on re-entering South Africa, The Citizen reported.
Nigeria, however, disputes that all of its affected citizens were in the country illegally.
Nigeria demands compensation from South Africa
Foreign ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa said the matter would be addressed through diplomatic channels, while Nigeria’s acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Alexander Ajayi, said authorities were documenting businesses, vehicles and other property abandoned by departing Nigerians.
“We have not severed ties with South Africa; we are still engaging them at the highest level; we will sort those details using our usual diplomatic channels,” the report quoted Ebienfa as saying.
More than 600 Nigerians have already been repatriated, with hundreds more awaiting evacuation. One trader told the BBC he had abandoned his home and clothing business, worth more than R16,000, out of fear for his safety.
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DIRCO responds
Speaking during an interview with SABC News, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said any compensation claims would be considered on a case-by-case basis through South Africa’s legal system.
“We do think that the issues that are raised will be looked at on a case-by-case basis. There are some other preliminary questions that one would have to establish before giving a blanket answer or a whole answer around some of these matters,” Dirco spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said.
“So each case will be looked at on a case-by-case basis. And, as you would know, we have a very robust judicial system where individuals can bring particular claims. We do trust that our judicial system will be able to process those and see them to their final conclusion. And also, where there are relevant private institutions that have to be called upon, that’s a process that will take place.”
Originally published by African Insider.
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