Daylight Robbery!

The malaria season is imminent and I was in search of mosquito netting. The place to go is Lambatt's fabric emporium on Haile Selassie Road, Blantyre. I also had to send a load of mortgage/endowment papers to four companies in the UK, along with my birth certificate. The road to the DHL offices was jammed with cars, so I headed downtown. Having found a parking space outside Lambatt's, the fruit sellers and street vendors descended. They are very friendly and I politely declined as I locked the car strolled into the cool interior of Mr Lambatt's shop. Ten minutes later, back inside my car, I notice that the glove compartments are open, two pairs of snazzy shades and my lovely new iPod are missing AND there is no sign of the letter. You feel so helpless in these situations. I quickly interviewed two parking attendants, some beggars and street vendors ("We are sorry for that" "Malawi is very poor" etc). Nothing. Inside to Mr Lambatt who kindly called four policemen until he found one at work. I headed for the nearby flea market and offered rewards for the return of my stuff. Then back to the scene. Still no police. Mr Lambatt (he's a Wise Guy, it seems) calls the head copper and he promises to come. Major Ben Nkhoma arrives with his Captain and three PC's, one of them a lady and one of them drunk. They promise to trace my belongings and bring the perpetrators to justice (the drunk one is in charge). I drive the three bobbies to their office at the market. It is full of men in handcuffs, all very cheery. I complete my hastily improvised statement and drive two coppers back to the scene. They ask for transport money and I make a donation to the fund. Promises are made and assurances are given. I ring them and hour later and they are hot-footing it to the local township in the back of a mini-bus.

I made many allies in the street and at the market yesterday and I am hoping that, with the offer of a reward, that I will get my belongings back.............I will head back into the melting pot to thank Mr Lambatt and to follow-up many leads...........To be continued.............Photos at http://www.gallerymac.com/lancer10