South Africa reacted angrily on Sunday to Nigeria's decision to recall its ambassador from Pretoria over a wave of mob attacks on African migrants that killed at least seven people.

"We are not sure which actions or behavior of the South African government the Nigerian government is protesting," the South African foreign ministry said in a statement.

"If this action is based on the incidents of attacks on foreign nationals in some parts of our country, it would be curious for a sisterly country to want to exploit such a painful episode for whatever agenda," the ministry added, lamenting Nigeria's "unfortunate and regrettable step".