Xenophobia: Zuma blames African governments

Other African governments were responsible for the influx of foreign nationals into South Africa and their criticism of the government over the recent wave of deadly xenophobic unrest was misplaced, President Jacob Zuma said yesterday.

"Our brother countries contribute to this. Why are their citizens not in their countries? It is not useful to criticize South Africa as if we mushroom these foreign nationals and then ill-treat them. Some (immigrants) said if you raise your voice in country X you disappear," Zuma told a Freedom Day rally at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

"Everybody criticises South Africa as if we have manufactured the problem. Even if people who are xenophobic are a minority, but what prompts these refugees to be in South Africa? It's a matter we cannot shy away from discussing."

His remarks follow Nigeria's decision to recall its top diplomats from South Africa.

Zuma reiterated his condemnation of the attacks that have claimed at least seven lives and said the hardship many South Africans endure was no excuse for turning on fellow Africans.

He added government had noted locals' complaints about their living conditions, including unhappiness with the rising number of immigrants in South Africa.