Migrants pick up pieces back home after fleeing South Africa

Back in his village in rural Malawi, Ahamadi Assani recalled his terror during an attack by anti-foreigner vigilantes in South Africa that led him to flee the country with just a few bags. It came as a campaign against illegal immigrants -- accused by locals of taking work and resources -- set an unofficial June 30 deadline for undocumented migrants to leave the country. "We were hiding inside our homes because we feared for our lives," Assani told AFP in M'namba, a village of mud-brick houses with uneven floors and weathered walls. Then a group stormed his compound in the city of Pietermaritzburg, breaking down doors and assaulting residents. Assani escaped but said two Malawians were killed and two hurt. South African police had only confirmed the death of one Malawian during the weeks of unrest, as well as two Mozambicans and an Ethiopian.