Johannesburg  - Violent clashes continued between police and locals overnight to Wednesday in Alexandra township, north-east of Johannesburg, after three days of xenophobic attacks, local media reported.

Mobs have killed three people and injured more than 60 since going on a rampage Sunday against foreigners, saying they are not welcome in the country, according to the South African Press Agency.

Residents were throwing stones at the police and blockading the streets of Alexandra with burning tyres. Police retaliated by firing rubber bullets, raiding several homes and arresting scores of people.

Hundreds of foreigners - primarily from Malawi, Mozambique or Zimbabwe - stayed overnight in police stations out of fear for their lives. The Red Cross said it was caring for more than 220 people who had fled while many others were staying with friends.

The ruling ANC party issued a statement Tuesday saying it "unequivocally condemns such xenophobic attacks." It calls on South Africans to take what it calls a firm stand against the attacks and to "treat them as hate crimes."

More than 500 police have been called in to contain the violence.

The South Africans are accusing migrants, primarily from Zimbabwe, of being responsible for the escalating crime rate in the area. According to some estimates up to 3 million Zimbabweans have fled the chaos in their home country to South Africa.

In April there were violent incidents in Pretoria and in Cape Town, which also took several lives. (dpa)