Political parties have condemned the suicide bomb attack that killed eight South Africans in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Tuesday morning.

"We strongly condemn this terrorist attack and the violent protests that have preceded it," Democratic Alliance international relations spokesperson Ian Davidson said in a statement.

"The perpetrators of such hateful crimes have no regard for the sanctity of human life - either their own, or that of the innocent victims they take with them."

Davidson extended his party's sympathies to the families and friends of those killed.

He called on International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane to condemn the violence and use every platform available to advocate the strengthening of democratic institutions in Afghanistan.

The Inkatha Freedom Party said it was saddened by the attack.

"The IFP condemns the suicide attack that claimed the lives of eight South Africans, among others, in Kabul," the party's international relations spokesperson Ben Skosana said in a statement.

He said the IFP expressed its sincere condolences to the families of those killed in the attack.

South Africa's international relations department said on Tuesday it had received the names of the eight South Africans killed.

"We have received the names of the deceased and are working on establishing contact with families and next-of-kin," said spokesperson Nelson Kgwete.

Kgwete said the department expressed its condolences to the friends and families of the deceased, and said the families would be given assistance.