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Close to 300 Malawian nationals that fled Jika Joe Informal Settlement in Pietermarizburg have appealed for urgent assistance to return home, saying they fled with nothing as violence erupted on Friday night.

The violence left at least one Malawian man dead and several others injured, forcing hundreds of Malawian nationals including women and children to abandon their homes for safety.

ALSO READ | Hundreds displaced after Jika Joe violence resulted in at least one death

Fearing for their lives, many initially gathered at Dales Park in Mayors Walk before being moved to a temporary shelter as cold weather conditions worsened.

When The Witness visited the shelter, aid organisations and residents were distributing food, water, and sanitary supplies, while police, private security, and Msunduzi Municipality security officials maintained a visible presence outside.

The location of the shelter cannot be disclosed due to safety concerns.

Volunteers described scenes of shock and trauma as displaced families arrived late into the night seeking a safe shelter.

“They looked terrified, carrying only what they could hold. Some babies were still in nappies without proper clothing,” said one volunteer who asked not to be named.

ALSO READ | WATCH | Man stoned to death after chaos erupted at Jika Joe, Pietermaritzburg

Many of the displaced said they left everything behind in the chaos.

“We came here with only the clothes we could carry. We left our furniture and everything we owned because we feared for our lives,” said one woman, who has lived in South Africa for five years and asked not to be named.

“We saw people being assaulted badly by a group of people with sticks. Even children witnessed it. We had no choice but to run.”

The Malawian nationals told The Witness that about two weeks ago, they were called into a community meeting where foreign nationals were allegedly told to leave the area before June 30.

ALSO READ | Malawians and police clash

That same night, people were attacked, homes were damaged and belongings were stolen.

In the days that followed, they said those who could afford it made their way to Durban, where thousands of Malawians were gathered while awaiting voluntary repatriation. Others, however, remained in Pietermaritzburg with no means to travel.

“There is no work and no income. Some of us were already struggling before this after we were kicked out of our jobs and those selling on the streets were chased away,” said another woman.

We cannot afford to go to Durban or even back home to Malawi.

For many now sheltering in fear, returning to Malawi has become the only option. They said even though they had nothing in Malawi, they were ready to start over.

ALSO READ | WATCH | March over illegal immigration grips Pietermaritzburg

Ward councillor Suraya Reddy described the situation as a growing humanitarian concern.

She said efforts were underway to assist those affected, including coordinating transport for voluntary repatriation, although not all could afford the journey.

To protect those displaced, The Witness was not permitted to take photographs or disclose the location of the shelter or the organisations assisting them.