The dream of starting a new life and making it big in Mzansi, or in any of its sprawling townships, often turns out to be an unpleasant reality for many undocumented Malawian nationals. By travelling 2 099km from Blantyre to Johannesburg, the city of e’Goli (city of gold), they may be risking their lives.
And for the hundreds who leave their land-locked poor country in East Africa every month without valid travelling documents to pursue their dreams of riches, the stark reality of their expectations is exemplified by the 30 undocumented countrymen who were recently rescued from human traffickers by the Hawks in Industria, Johannesburg.
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The Hawks, or any government departments, could not be reached at the time of going to print to confirm if the Malawians were, in fact, victims of human trafficking.
But to some Malawian national who live and work in South Africa, said the Hawks’ raid on the building had all the hallmarks of “human-trafficking”
Firstly, the men are believed to have been smuggled into the country illegally for the purpose of being engaged in “slave labour”. Secondly, the Malawian community leaders argue that the conditions of the dilapidated factory, 15 km east of Johannesburg, were appalling, without ventilation. The men were later rushed to a hospital for medical attention, and their captors have been detained for questioning by the police.
Following the Hawks’ raid, the Malawian national approached by Kathorus MAIL has demanded that a thorough investigation into the operations be made. They also demand that the identities of illegal workers be identified.
“There is no doubt that these people were recruited from outside South Africa, and smuggled into this country, to work in this chemical factory in Industria,” said Saidi Ameen, a Malawian trader who runs an export business from the country.
“The ‘touts’ work for “human-traffickers who pay them to lure unsuspecting young Malawians out of their poverty-stricken country with promises of riches, luxury and a good life in South Africa.
“Who does not want to live a life of riches and opulence,” said Jummah Phiri , an Immam at a Mosque frequented by Malawians in New Town.
According to Phiri, it is these fake offers made by the ‘touts’ that are fraught with dangers.
“A typical example is the 30 undocumented Malawians found working under bondage and appalling conditions in Industria,” said Phiri.
Phiri also warned that the Malawians were exposing themselves to human traffickers and that those caught in the snare may end up in worse situations than the 30 Malawians chemical factory workers found themselves in.
Most Malawians believe the owners of the chemical factory operate a “human-trafficking” operation which requires investigation.
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“The fear is that the fate of the 30 Malawian nationals found at the Industria chemical factory could have been worse and taken a totally different direction altogether had the factory not been exposed by the Hawks”, said Ibrahim Mohammad of Palm Ridge, outside Kathorus.
Efforts by Kathorus MAIL to talk to cross-border passenger transport operators at the New Town cross-border bus and taxi terminus were received with hostility by taxi marshals.
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