Just a quick note on crime and punishment. It really doesn’t pay to be a criminal here in Tanzania. The other day when sitting in town having a spot of lunch, I saw a man running past the window in front. Then shortly after followed another, and another and another – the chasing pack consisted of around 30 men and boys becoming increasingly more chubby/elderly as they passed. The reason for the excitement? A theft. The result? Although not witnessed, was at best a good beating and at worst a death.
The next morning when eating breakfast (not sure why it always happens at mealtimes) I saw on the TV a man being dowsed in petrol and burned to death, again a thief. When discussing the practice with some the family they said it’s very common and they fully support it. Then they told the story of when they used to run a small kiosk outside their house, the daughter of the family was running it one day when someone reached through the bars to steal some money – on shouting thief all the village men managed to catch the perpetrator… luckily a neighbour happened to have his axe with him so he stuck it in the thief’s head and killed him. Justice!
Needless to say, when I told them about Tony Martin, they thought we live in a very odd country indeed.
a kid gave me a funny look the other day.
so I killed him, little blighter.