South Africa has been shocked by a series of attacks on foreigners living in townships that have left two people dead and many injured.

Locals blame the foreigners, most of them from Zimbabwe, for criminal behaviour and for taking jobs.

But the xenophobic attacks have forced South Africa to face up to the problem of what to do with millions of illegal immigrants and the increasing numbers of Zimbabweans crossing illegally over the border.

At ABC News: S Africa violence against Zimbabweans 'xenophobia'