The meeting was called by community leaders from seven informal settlements after the failure by political leaders to engage the community on the issue.

Falakhe Mhlongo, community leader of Ekupholeni, said: "We are calling on all community members not to show violent action against foreigners.

"We hope our call will mean something, considering that our politically chosen leaders have failed to address or engage us in talks."

He said he was hopeful that the leaders' pleas would be heard by the people but insisted that he could not give guarantees. Mhlongo said challenges such as unemployment and exploitation were some of the reasons that escalated the tensions between locals and foreigners.

"Some foreigners live in conditions that are unacceptable, renting rooms in overcrowded places. They get employed by corrupt employers who underpay them because they are desperate for anything and our people do not find jobs," said Mhlongo.

Two weeks ago police had to be increased in the area following pleas from foreigners fearing for their lives.

Small shopowner Mano Segadhu from Malawi said: "We are still not feeling safe in the community but we hope such meetings will save us from those planning to loot our shops and take our hard earnings."

Segadhu said he was considering leaving the country but said he had "found a home" in South Africa.

He said the 2008 attacks still haunted him when he remembers how his once friendly community called for his blood.

A community member, Philani Ndlela, said: "As a community we will keep our promise to protect the foreigners as some have families and are helping the community with their small shops."