Pomfret, South Africa
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Pomfret is a desert town, the site of an old asbestos mine, on the edge of the Kalahari desert in northwest South Africa. Many of its inhabitants are former members of 32 Battalion, also known as Buffalo Battalion. These soldiers were predominantly black Angolans who were used by apartheid South African government to help fight South Africa’s wars in Angola and Namibia and to police the black townships.^[1]

Present

Today the town is described as depressing by those who visit. Injured veterans of war live in squalid circumstances. ^[2]

In 2004, Zimbabwe jailed over 60 mercenaries from Pomfret for one year for suspected involvement in a plot to overthrow the government of Equatorial Guinea.^[3] Those jailed were poor ex-soldiers and the jailing left their kin grieving.^[4]

A new South African law has been passed to bar mercenaries, but some fear that new restrictions could prevent access for people to legitimate security-related work in areas of conflict.^[5]

Asbestos mine in Pomfret

The presence of asbestos in the subsoil was the major reason for the creation of the town. Asbestos was mined and used in the motor industry for the making of brake pads, roofing, and water pipes. The mine is now closed, and is a good tourist attraction.

Pomfret child

Asbestoes mine

Notes

1. ^ "South Africa - Pomfret". Retrieved on 2007-01-03.
2. ^ "South Africa's 'mercenary' village". BBC News. Retrieved on 2007-01-03.
3. ^ "South Africa - Dogs of War Head Home – But They'll Find It's Gone". Retrieved on 2007-01-03.
4. ^ "African Coup Plot Leaves Kin Bereft". Retrieved on 2007-01-03.
5. ^ "South African government as it seeks to stamp out "mercenary" activity". BBC News. Retrieved on 2007-01-03.

People aiding Pomfret

• 32 Battalion Veteran Association
• Pomfret Christian Support Group **Off line**
• Emmanuel Christian Orphanages **Off line**

External links

• Pomfret, South Africa Page - Map
• Pomfret on BBC (1)
• Pomfret on BBC (2)
• abc.net news report
• Pomfret Asbestos mine
• Dogs of War Go Home
• Photos from Earth Science
• Pomfret-related documentary on YouTube South Africa- The Buffalo Soldiers (by Journeyman Pictures)
• Pomfret-related documentary on YouTube Mercenary Town - South Africa (by Journeyman Pictures)

Coordinates: 25°49′S, 23°32′E