Nigerian artist Scooby Nero, whose real name is Chibuzor Nwankwo, has publicly retracted his earlier statements claiming ownership of RDP (Reconstruction and Development Programme) houses in South Africa.

The rapper ignited widespread criticism after posting a video in which he asserted that he was demanding rent payments from occupants of RDP homes located in Johannesburg.

Apology and Context Behind the Viral Video

In response to the backlash, Scooby Nero clarified that his video was intended as satire, inspired by a similar post from Kenny Kunene, the deputy president of the Patriotic Alliance (PA), who had commented on Nigerians collecting rent in South Africa.

“I sincerely apologize to South Africans. I did not anticipate the situation escalating as it did. This was meant as trolling. I engage in trolling, and others troll me back. This has been my approach for a long time. Since September 25, I started ‘collecting money’ on Facebook as a joke,” he explained.

He added, “I realize now I took it too far. There’s no excuse for that. I was just joking around. My plan was to continue the joke by claiming I bought Sandton next.”

“I am truly sorry to South Africa. I never intended to offend anyone or cause confusion. I have nothing to hide,” Scooby Nero concluded.

Official Response and Investigation

The Gauteng Department of Human Settlements has initiated an inquiry into the claims made in the video to verify their authenticity and address public concerns.

As of 2026, South Africa continues to grapple with housing shortages, with over 2.1 million households still waiting for adequate housing solutions, making the issue of RDP homes particularly sensitive.

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