Two people are dead after mobs looted several foreign-owned shops in White City township on the outskirts of Johannesburg, police confirmed Wednesday.

"We have arrested 15 people for crimes ranging from public violence, murder and attempted murder," police spokesman Col. Lungelo Dlamini told Anadolu Agency.

Angry mobs went on a rampage and looted foreign-owned shops after two local residents were reportedly shot dead by a foreign shopkeeper during an argument.

The pair had reportedly accused the trader of selling them expired goods.

Mobs were seen entering stores and stealing items ranging from food to refrigerators.

"This is purely xenophobia. How can only foreign-owned stores be looted?" said Somali national Abdi Mohamed.

He said the attacks are similar to anti-immigrant violence that erupted in both 2008 and 2015, displacing hundreds of thousands of foreigners.

"We have deployed all over the township to avoid the return of violence," police said.

The main opposition Democratic Alliance condemned the violence, saying "any form of xenophobia is unacceptable and has no place in our diverse society". (Anadolu)