Foreigners - many of them Zimbabweans who had fled economic collapse and political violence in their homeland - were being driven from shacks in squatter camps today.

Men with clubs and sticks patrolled in groups along the road near one camp, apparently South Africans guarding against any foreigners trying to return.

South Africans are struggling to find jobs and buy food as prices rise, and they appear to be targeting foreigners they see as competing with them for scarce resources.

Police spokesman Govindsamy Mariemuthoo said that, since the violence broke out last week, 22 people had been killed - beaten, burned or slashed. Mr Mariemuthoo said more than 200 people had been arrested on charges including murder, rape and robbery.

``We're not talking about xenophobia, we're talking about criminality,'' Mr Mariemuthoo said.

He said police reservists and officers from other regions were being called in to help.