The US Ambassador to South Africa Donald H Gips has offered condolences to the families of the South Africans who were killed in an explosion in Kabul, Afghanistan.

“As we mourn the death of colleagues at the US Consulate in Benghazi, we offer our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the South Africans who lost their lives in Kabul today,” said Gips in a statement.

“As [US Secretary of State, Hillary] Clinton has said, there is never any justification for violent acts of this kind,” said Gips.

The Department of International Relations earlier confirmed that eight South African nationals were amongst the people who died when a suicide bomber reportedly rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into a minibus carrying foreign staff of a local company on Tuesday morning.

Three passers-by were also killed and two security officials were injured by the bombing that took place along the main road, leading to the airport in Kabul's sub-district 15.

The department said it was in contact with the aviation company that had employed the deceased.

“The department is also in possession of the list of names of the deceased. Efforts to confirm their identities and to contact their next-of-kin are currently underway,” said the department, which also expressed its sincere condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased.

The necessary consular assistance will be rendered to the families.