South Africa shuts embassies in Nigeria amid violence

South Africa has closed its diplomatic missions in Nigeria, underscoring the growing strain between Africa's two largest economies after the latest wave of xenophobic violence in South Africa., the Department of International Relations and Cooperation said Thursday.

The department said while there had been "no direct physical threat" to any diplomats or staff, the situation remained "somewhat unpredictable" and there were sufficient safety concerns to close the offices in Lagos and Abuja on Tuesday.

On Sunday, violent mobs began looting and setting fire to foreign-owned businesses in several areas of Johannesburg and the South African capitol Pretoria.

The unrest lasted for four days, with at least five people killed and more than 250 people arrested.

Outbreaks of violence against Nigerians and citizens of other African nations have regularly erupted in South Africa in recent years, with some South Africans accusing foreigners of peddling illegal drugs or taking jobs when official unemployment is nearly 30 per cent.

The latest wave incensed Nigerian citizens and officials alike, with Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama calling the latest attacks "sickening."