“We were still inside when people started burning down our house… I just took what I could and I ran.”

According to Mossel Bay Advertiser, Dolinda Mabunda, a Mozambican mother with a young son, was one of more than 300 people who fled Asla Park between Friday night and Saturday morning as suspected xenophobic attacks erupted across the area.

“They said we should leave or we’ll get hurt. It didn’t look like anything serious at first but late at night, I told my son’s father that we should go to my sister because there it was a little safer,” said Mabunda.

However, before the family could flee, their home was set alight, prompting them to grab what they could and run for their lives.

She claimed people also beat up her aunt. Mabunda said if she and her family can get transport, they will go back to Mozambique.

Displaced residents await assistance

People who fled Asla Park arrived at a central spot in town on Saturday morning, awaiting transport or a safe place where they could spend the next few nights. Police have asked that the location not be named for the safety of the people currently still there.

Mossel Bay Advertiser went to the site to speak to several displaced people, including Mabunda.

Another was Uswaldo Bila, also from Mozambique, who had been living in Asla Park for four years before his home was burnt down during the unrest in the early hours of Saturday morning.

He said he arrived at the central point at 06:00 and was still waiting for transport by 14:00 on Saturday.

Bila said he is a contractor and will likely try to get transport to Johannesburg.

Joseph Ntuli said although his home was not burnt down, he fled because he was scared. He said he is going to try to make his way back to Mozambique.

Community appeals for support

Da Gamaskop Community Policing Forum chairperson Hannelie Marais said there were more than 300 people gathered at the site, many with injuries due to alleged assaults during the unrest.

“Many people here lost their homes; their documents were burnt. There are lots of women and children here as well.”

She said buses had been organised for some people to return directly to Mozambique, but at a cost of R1 800 per person.

“Some people lost everything in the fire. They don’t have anything, definitely not R1 800,” she said.

Marais added that those who could not get transport on Saturday would be taken to a safe place for the night. She added that another bus was being organised, but that it would cost R2 000 to come from Cape Town.

Marais has asked the greater Mossel Bay community to donate blankets and mattresses for those who have been displaced. These items can be dropped off at the KwaNonqaba Police Station in Mayixhale Street or at Fire, Rescue and Disaster Management Services at the corner of Louis Fourie and Schoeman roads.

Those wishing to assist with transport for displaced people can contact Marais on 083 255 1008.

Also read: Police investigate double murder during Asla Park violence

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