Somalians and Ethiopians living in Khayelitsha say that they are a target 24 hours a day, while young locals say that jealousy triggers the violence.
Their status as asylum seekers makes it difficult for shop owners from Ethiopia, Somalia and Bengal to get licences and operate legally.
Another looting and torching incident has occurred, this time in the Alexandra township, with looters fleeing once police arrived.
In a xenophobic atmosphere ripe for political exploitation, only a few stand to lose as much as foreign nationals.
Lawyers for Human Rights says it is dissapointed by the "disregard for human life" during this week’s violence in Soweto.
13 people were arrested overnight for looting in Kagiso, on the West Rand, and police say the situation is calm in Soweto after a week of unrest.
Foreign shopkeepers displaced during riots in Soweto were urged by some residents to quickly make their way out. Two people have died in the unrest.
Two people have died and a foreign-owned shop burnt in Soweto since violence broke out between community members on Monday.