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The number of displaced Malawian nationals in Pietermaritzburg is rising rapidly, with more people arriving at a temporary shelter by the minute from across the city and neighbouring towns.

The group initially of about 300 people who were moved from Dales Park to the shelter on Friday night following a deadly mob attack at Jika Joe Informal Settlement.

The attack is believed to have occured after a march by March and March ealier on Friday where a woman among the marchers told the crowed that her brother was allegedly killed by Malawian nationals at the settlement.

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By Saturday, the number had surged to more than 700, many of whom were transported to Durban where repatriation processes are under way.

However, hopes of returning home were dashed for more than 200 people when they were turned away in Durban, reportedly due to insufficient capacity, and forced to return to Pietermaritzburg.

Coordinator George Shampoo Mvula said the situation was becoming increasingly desperate, with numbers expected to exceed 2 000.

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They are struggling and they want to go home.

“They are desperate and need transport. We are working with others to try and secure buses to assist them,” said Mvula.

He warned that conditions at the shelter were deteriorating, citing a lack of basic services and security.

There is no proper ablution facility, no running water and no security.

“We have women and children staying in these conditions. If it rains, this place will not be suitable at all. We are pleading with Msunduzi Municipality to provide security, sanitation and to move us to a safer place,” he said.

Mvula also appealed to the Malawian government and other stakeholders to assist with transport back to Malawi.

Some of the displaced nationals said they had lived in South Africa for years, acknowledging that they did not have valid documentation. One man said he arrived in 2002 with an asylum document. He said he worked for a local company but lost his job and started a small business which has now been lost in the unrest.

Msunduzi Municipality speaker Eunice Majola, who has been at the site since Sunday morning, acknowledged the poor conditions at the shelter.

The municipality has provided water and arrangements for ablution facilities are being made.

“We are also concerned about the growing number of people arriving at the shelter. The mayor, deputy mayor and municipal manager are in meetings to find solutions,” said Majola.

During a visit to the site, The Witness observed a steady stream of vehicles arriving at the entrance, dropping off Malawian nationals carrying their belongings.

Inside the building, men, women and children were crowded into small, damaged rooms, some with broken windows and sections of roof missing, exposing them to the cold.