East African governments and their diplomatic missions are closely monitoring the ongoing xenophobic violence in South Africa, with some preparing evacuation procedures should the attacks get out of hand.

There are about 1,000 Rwandans, including 200 students currently living in South Africa.

The Rwandan High Commissioner to South Africa, Vincent Karega, told The New Times that so far no case of assault against any Rwandan has been reported.

"I am in touch with my fellow countrymen in all provinces. Diplomats are in constant contact with the authorities both in government and security organs. We hope the situation will stabilise soon,” Karega said.

Kenyan High Commissioner to Rwanda John Mwangemi said his country was closely monitoring the situation and is ready to evacuate their citizens if the situation escalates.

There are an estimated 800 Kenyans in the port city of Durban, the flashpoint of the the attacks.

In a media statement, the Uganda foreign affairs office expressed concern, issuing safety guidelines to its nationals in South Africa.

The South African government, the police, and the civil society appear to have increased efforts to contain the violence.

The attacks started two weeks ago. So far, at least six people have been killed and more than 10,000 displaced, according to media outlets in the country.

Savage attacks

Gory images and videos have been circulating on social media, with some extremely graphic and sickening attacks caught on camera.

Attackers and perpetrators of the violence have accused foreigners of taking their jobs and businesses.

The attacks are alleged to have begun after remarks by Zulu king Goodwill Zwelithini, calling on migrants to go home. Zwelithini, however, claims that his message was misinterpreted.

Yesterday, Zwelithini moved to call for calm.

Reports suggest that more than 300 South Africans have been arrested in connection with the attacks, including some three men caught on camera bludgeoning and later stabbing Mozimbican Emmanuel Sithole, who died of his wounds shortly on arrival at hospital.

The violence has also been characterised by looting of enterprises owned by Africans and Asians and displacement of foreign nationals with most of them seeking refuge at police stations.

Malawi and Mozambique have already commenced the evacuation of their citizens. China issued a formal complaint and Nigeria threatened to close down South African businesses.

The Nigerian parliament passed a motion, last week, recalling their ambassador to South Africa for consultations over the attacks.

Nigerian officials asked the South African government to end the attacks or they will close down South African-owned businesses, some of which operate in East Africa as well. These include MTN, Multichoice, and retail giants Game and Shoprite.

This is the second major wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa in seven years, after the 2008 attacks in which 62 people were killed.

Those targeted are particularly African migrants.