A crisis on Durban's doorstep: Fresh unrest reported as thousands remain stranded at Sherwood Hall.

A volatile humanitarian crisis unfolding at Durban's Sherwood Hall spilled into fresh chaos on Wednesday with clashes breaking out and police forced to intervene as thousands of displaced Malawian nationals remain camped at the site amid growing frustration, uncertainty and deteriorating conditions.

With the number of Malawians looking to be repatriated swelling daily, and tensions rising, government officials are hard-pressed to come up with the required interventions in quick-time.

"No Lindela - we want to go home," the migrants chanted as they ran down the streets on Wednesday, while police allegedly fired stun grenades and rubber bullets.

The Lindela Repatriation Centre is South Africa's primary holding facility for undocumented foreign nationals who are awaiting deportation or the finalisation of their immigration status.