XATINI-: SITKRSTITIOX AM) CKIMl. 2SS 



not admitted. Baleni. st) tar as could Ik- determined. \\a> in 

 complete ignorance that he was under suspicion. .Mageheni and 

 four of his relations met together and decided to direct liim to 

 leave the neighhourhood. Before, however, making any commu- 

 nication to him. they changed their plan and determined to get 

 rid of him in a more effectual manner. Together, they w^ent to 

 his kraal at night, and set fire to his hut. He attempted to 

 escape, only to be met outside by these five men. Short shrift 

 was accorded him. He was killed with a cane knife and his 

 body carried to the Icupa Lake, into which it was cast. A pa.ss- 

 ing native witnessed the tragedy by the glare of the fire, but 

 maintained silence until other evidence led to the arrest of the 

 murderers, who admitted their guilt. 



In a similar case, a woman was believed to be a witch, but 

 no accusation was made to her, and it is improbable that she 

 knew she was under suspicion. Four women, who held her 

 responsible for certain deaths in the family, obtained the as- 

 sistance of a native doctor, and proceeded at night to her kraal. 

 To prevent her escape they placed bundles of grass, on which 

 ])araffin was poured, in front of the door of her hut, and set it 

 alight in several places. Not alone did she ])erish, her three 

 young children being burned to death with her. As is usual in 

 such cases, it was some time before the true facts were ascer- 

 tained, and the murderers brought to justice. It is only natural, 

 perhaps, that with this belief in and horror of witchcraft, natives 

 who are cognisant of these doings .should seek to shield those 

 who have, as they conceive, rendered a service to the community 

 bv ridding it of an evil-doer. There is often a conspiracy of 

 >ilence which baffles every attempt on the part of the police to 

 obtain evidence. The facts are apparent ; it is clear that a mur- 

 .ler, prompted by witchcraft, has been committed, and that the 

 attendant circumstances are known to those who affect ignor- 

 ance ; but the mystery remains unravelled. It is safe to say 

 that in some instances crimes of this nature, committed in remote 

 districts, have never been reported. One in which a newly- 

 married man and w^oman were accidentally discovered, stabbed 

 to death, as they escaped from their burning hut, has never been 

 elucidated. Inquiry proved that the man was an alleged evil-doer, 

 but the closest investigation failed to point .suspicion to anyone 

 in particular. 



The only definite case, occurring more than half-a-dozen 

 years ago, to w'hich reference will be made, is one which is of 

 some interest as showing the vain endeavour of a suspect to avert 

 her fate by placing herself under what was considered adequate 

 protection. No report was made at the time, and it was only 

 recently that the circumstances were divulged. This was a crime 

 in '• high life," occurring in the kraal of one Bulawa, a brother 

 both of the late Chiefs Tshanibezwe and Mkandumba (the latter 

 of whom will figure in another case), and a son of Mynamana, 



