Trouble in Paradise

Im sure you've all heard about the troubles and xenophobia in South Africa- but what you may not have heard about is the repercussion shock waves through the suppounding countries as those fleeing arrive home.

Apparently the Mangochi area in Malawi has the highest proportion of their population seeking their fortunes in South Africa. This isn't a new phenomenon- men (mostly) from this region have been migrating South to find work for decades. Some villages are mostly women as all their men 'wapite ku sout afika'-often promising to send back fortunes and rarely delivering.

Reports filtering back are horror story material- people being beaten, hacked with machettes- even accounts of houses being set on fire, then the inhabitants shot one by one firing squad style as they flee the flames. Many people are unwilling to leave as they have businesses and new families there- they never intended on going 'home' - but each new wave of violence is flushing out even the most determined. The Malawi Government has sent busses to bring the men from the refugee camps springing up around police stations. They've been dropped in Blantyre and are starting to arrive in the villages. Utes (new ones with nice paint jobs) loaded to the max with people and all the earthy possessions they could salvage- those universal blue, white and red striped bags, bicycles, cane arm chairs, the occasional sound system...however , most were lucky to escape with their lives and arrive with the blanket, plate and cup issued at the refugee camp. Some funerals have already been held- without the body.

I chatted to a policeman today (the police stopped me at a road block and asked if I could take him back to Mangochi) and asked how he felt about all the arrivals. He was worried. These men have come from the city, where jobs were available and where they had food and were able to make a life for themselves. They are returning to families that haven't counted on having an extra mouth to feed, children that don't know them, angry wives (perhaps cos they haven't sent money, or simply started a new family in South Africa), no jobs and very quiet village life. The police are expecting a much higher crime rate and general unrest. So-plenty of excitement in this neck of the woods.

Speaking of excitement- the former president who was planning on running again in the next election (our area are his die hard supporters) was arrested the minute he stepped off the plane (on his way back from the UK) and put under house arrest for treason. More episodes of this story to follow no doubt.