At least five people have been killed and dozens arrested in South Africa in recent days as residents of the coastal city of Durban began attacking foreigners, their homes and places of business.

The anti-foreigner violence in the busy port city, which continued on Tuesday, is reminiscent of the 2008 attacks in Johannesburg that killed more than 60 people and displaced thousands.

Since Friday, police have clashed with protesters, and stores owned by foreign nationals have been targeted and looted, the BBC reports.

A teenager was among those killed since the fighting started two weeks ago, the South African Police Service said Wednesday.

Disgruntled locals have harassed and attacked foreigners living in Durban, saying they cause social and economic harm and should leave, South African newspaper The Mail and Guardian reports.

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According to Bloomberg, police say the attacks began after a group of Durban residents accused a supermarket of replacing its workers with foreigners.

A foreign national threateningly holds a knife following clashes between a group of locals and police in Durban on Tuesday amind ongoing violence against foreigners in South Africa.
Foreigners have shut their shops in Johannesburg to prevent looting. Picture: AFP
Foreigners have been arming themselves after coming under attack. Picture: AFP
The government has ordered police to step up efforts to protect foreigners. Picture: AFP
Children play amongst the remnants of a fridge in front of a looted store which is owned by foreigners in KwaMashu, north of Durban. Picture: Reuters
A foreign woman cooks a meal while others queue for a free meal in Chatsworth, south of Durban. Picture: Reuters
A foreign woman and her child sit with their belongings in a tent on a sports field in Isipingo, south of Durban, April 9, 2015. Picture: Reuters
South African women protest as rioting and looting is quelled during anti-foreigner violence in Durban, April 14, 2015. Picture: REUTERS/Rogan Ward
Local gangs accuse foreigners of taking their jobs. Picture: AFP