(Adds Zambia comments) By Paul Simao JOHANNESBURG, May 30 (Reuters) - South African ruling party leader Jacob Zuma on Friday comforted the children of African migrants displaced in a wave of xenophobic attacks, pledging to help them and their families rebuild their lives. "We are here for you," the ANC leader told Olga Khoza as he cuddled her 4-month-old son, Amadinho, at a police station south of Johannesburg that has become a makeshift shelter for hundreds who fled their homes in fear of violence this month. The Mozambican woman said her family lost all their belongings when mobs went on the rampage in their shantytown two weeks ago. They have slept on the ground, first outside and now in tents. Dozens of migrants have been killed and tens of thousands forced into shelters around the country. The violence, which has subsided, targeted newcomers to South Africa as well as those who had been here for decades. Analysts say competition for housing and jobs combined with soaring food and fuel prices raised the tensions that sparked the riots. Unemployment in South Africa hovers around 24 percent. Carole Kaumba-Makoma, a 9-year-old girl from the Democratic Republic of Congo, was among those attacked. "They beat her and tried to take her clothes," Zuma told Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, the ex-wife of Nelson Mandela, after the child recounted her tale. Madikizela-Mandela accompanied Zuma on his visit. He later told reporters he was saddened by the plight of the refugees but added the government, African National Congress and civic groups were "on top of the situation". CRITICISM However, there is growing criticism of the government's response to the crisis that has tarnished South Africa's international image and stoked concern among investors worried about political stability in Africa's largest economy. While condemning the violence and promising to bring those responsible for it to justice, President Thabo Mbeki has kept his distance during the crisis. He has not been seen venturing into the townships or shelters since the violence began May 11. Mbeki has long been accused of pursuing pro-business policies that have fuelled an economic boom but left millions of mostly black South Africans living on the margins some 14 years after the end of apartheid. Zuma, who defeated Mbeki for the ANC leadership late last year and is the frontrunner to succeed him next year, has called on the government to focus more of its energy fighting poverty. At least 50,000 Mozambicans and Zimbabweans have left South Africa as a result of the unrest. Zimbabweans are the largest immigrant group in South Africa, accounting for an estimated 60 percent of the 5 million migrants in the country. South Africa's population is about 50 million. On Friday Harare's ambassador to South Africa, Simon Khaya Moyo, said his government had sent 10 buses and some trucks to repatriate about 1,000 Zimbabweans caught up in the attacks. Moyo told a news conference in South Africa the government had promised to resettle the group on farm land. Zambia said it was also making arrangements to facilitate the repatriation of its nationals. "Some of the Zambians had their property burnt and are stranded because they have no money to come back. Some Zambians are living in bad conditions where they are depending on charity," acting Home Affairs Minister George Mpombo told Reuters in Lusaka. Relief agencies and U.N. officials say they are shocked at conditions in shelters where thousands of migrants live. Many sleep outside in temperatures that drop to near freezing. Government assistance to the refugees, they say, has been disappointing, with most blankets, clothes, food and medical supplies coming from non-governmental groups and individuals. (Additional reporting by Emelia Sithole-Matarise; Chris Mfula in Lusaka; Editing by Alison Williams)
Children salute the leader of Burundi's Forces for National Liberation (FNL) Agathon Rwasa after his arrival at Bujumbura airport May 30, 2008. Rwasa, the exiled leader of Burundi's last rebel group, ...
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