President Jacob Zuma said that terrorism in any form cannot be condoned.

JOHANNESBURG - President Jacob Zuma says terrorism in any form or emanating from any quarter cannot be condoned and has joined world leaders in condemning the latest attacks in France, where at least 84 people have been killed, including children.

Yesterday, a 31-year-old Tunisian-born man fired a shot before mowing people down with his truck during Bastille Day celebrations in Nice.

Authorities later shot and killed the man and found explosives, grenades and firearms in his vehicle.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) spokesperson Clayson Monyela said: "On behalf of government and the people of South Africa, the president has extended his heartfelt condolences to the president of France, the government and people of that country; particularly families of the victims and those injured."

WARNING: The video below contains graphic footage.

Dirco says there's been no indication, from its embassy in France, of any South Africans affected in the terror attacks in Nice.

Hundreds of people were left wounded, with 18 people in a critical condition.

Zuma says terrorism in any form cannot be condoned.

Monyela said: "President Zuma is saying terrorism in any form, shape and from whichever quarter it comes from, cannot be condoned. He stands firmly with the international committee condemning this attack."

' TERRORIST ACT'

At the same time, French President Francois Hollande has called the attack a monstrous "terrorist" act.

Britain's new Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson says the attack is appalling, adding that he is shocked and saddened by the developments.

US President Barak Obama and leaders in Europe and Asia have condemned the attack on the Promenade des Anglais.

Hollande says it's not clear if the attacker had accomplices.

No organisation has claimed responsibility.

"France has been hit on a National Day, 14 July, a symbol of freedom. Human rights are denied by fanatics and France is therefore their target."

He has extended by three months the state of emergency following two terror attacks in Paris last year.

EYEWITNESSES

Meanwhile, one eyewitness says dozens of people were running frantically in different directions.

"It sounded like there were bangs coming from the truck and initially we thought it was gunfire but it was actually the sound of the truck hitting the water way."

Another eyewitness says he initially thought the truck driver might have been intoxicated.

"That faded quickly as I saw him zig-zagging through the crowd at about 25-30 miles per hour. It appeared to be purposeful at that time and the idea of him being a drunk driver, quickly went away. At that point it was just unbelievable."