South Africa has begun to work out the process of returning more than R100-million in Nigerian money that it confiscated last year, or clearing the way to sell arms to the West African country in honour of President-elect, General Muhammdu Buhari

The Mail and Guardian, through diplomatic sources, disclosed that South Africa had begun talks to work out a process to return the money in an effort to start off on a clean slate with the in-coming government of Buhari.

South African law enforcement agencies seized $15-million in two batches: $5.7-million that had been wired to Standard Bank and $9.3-million in cash, which was confiscated. It was brought into the country through Lanseria airport in Johannesburg in three suitcases by a delegation said to represent the Nigerian government. In both cases, the money was suspected to be for illegal use.

Now South Africa wants to use the money to extend an olive branch to Buhari’s government and mend relations between the two countries, which became strained during the tenure of outgoing president Goodluck Jonathan.

“The positive thing about (Buhari) is that one of the people who supported him is Atiku Abubakar. That makes him our man and he will automatically work well with (President Jacob) Zuma,” a government source said.

•Adapted from a Saturday Vanguard report. Photo shows Zuma.