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 coddled 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 earlier this month.

Zuma listened carefully as the Mozambican woman explained how 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 led to 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," a grim-faced 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".

But there is growing criticism of the government's response to a crisis that has tarnished South Africa's international image and stoked concern among investors worried about political stability in Africa's largest economy.

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.

Relief agencies and U.N. officials say they are shocked at conditions in the shelters where thousands of migrants now live. Many are sleeping outside in temperatures that drop to near freezing at night.

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.

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 government to focus more of its energy fighting poverty. (Editing by Mary Gabriel)

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