Maputo  - Mozambique's Foreign Minister Oldemiro Baloi on Tuesday condemned attacks on African migrants in South Africa that have claimed the lives of six Mozambicans and urged his countrymen living in Africa's biggest economy not to throw in the towel.

At least 23 people have been killed by South African mobs in the townships around Johannesburg in the past nine days.

The attackers accuse African migrants, mostly living in the country illegally, of exacerbating unemployment, high crime and living costs.

Baloi told a press conference at least 70 Mozambican citizens had shown interest in returning home to escape the violence but urged them to remain put, arguing most were earning a living and contributing to the economy.

Baloi said it would send the wrong signal if they "throw in the towel and leave all they've worked for" and urged them to trust South African authorities to deal with the attacks.

South Africa is home to between 3 and 5 million foreigners, mostly illegal African migrants.

Mozambicans are believed to be the second largest immigrant group, after Zimbabweans. Some 50,000 Mozambican miners work in the gold mines around Johannesburg.

Mozambique's ambassador to South Africa, Fernando Fazenda, confirmed to Radio Mozambique that six Mozambicans had perished in the violence so far.

Some have already started to flee South Africa for fear of attack.

A Mozambican with relatives in Soweto, Antonio Muinga, told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa: "I called my brother who told me he was sending his wife and children to Mozambique. He will remain because of his property and goods as well as his job."

An official at the immigration department confirmed that movement across the border with South Africa had increased in recent days but could not establish a direct link with the township attacks.

Since the xenophobic violence broke out on May 11 at least 5,000 Mozambicans had crossed the border to Mozambique. Half of those crossing the border were illegal migrants, with no passports, the official said. (dpa)