I saw a Zulu this morning...

''It was at seven in the morning when i saw this big black gentleman walk outside Mrs Grobler's house. He wore a black trouser, a white shirt which he folded over his arms and  he carried a back pack that looked heavy. I knew that moment that Mrs Grobler was in trouble. So immediately i rushed into the house to call the police. When i got back again to check the gentleman had left, when the police came it was too late. Oh God i feel sorry for Mrs Grobler she lived a sad lonely life now she is dead". Those were the words of eighty five year old Mrs Muller who was the only witness to testify to the murder of Allen Grobler a widow who was found dead in her home two hours ago. People all over the small town of Bloomberg had gathered around the deceased's property to catch a glimpse of what was happening. Her body was lying on the floor, she had been stabbed several times before her death. The freshness of her blood and a plate of scrambled eggs was evidence that the murder had occurred the exact time being mentioned by the witness. ''I saw the gentleman'' cried Mrs Muller. ''He was Zulu and big'' she said.

The place was now surrounded by sniffer dogs and a helicopter patrolling the town. Near by the town was a shanty town with lots of black people working in the mines and yes most of the man were big and Zulu. About five suspects had been held and were in custody. It was up to Mrs Muller to go and identify the black Zulu she saw in the morning. She had dressed up already and about to get into the police van when a lady screamed from a distance,"stop'' . ''Where are you taking her?' she asked. ''Sorry lady'' spoke the inspector, ''who are you and what relations do you have with Mrs Muller or the deceased?''. This old lady here is my mother and what deceased?'' she asked surprisingly. ''Your mother here is about to be the town's new hero, she is a witness to a murder that occurred two hours ago right here'' pointing at Mrs Grobler 's home.''Your mother claims..'' she intervenes the inspector before he had finished. '' With all due respect Mr Inspector, my mother has been blind for twenty five years. She has never seen the sun nor the color of her nose. I know what she told you. She said she saw a Zulu outside, big wearing  black pants, white shirt folded and heavy back pack. Yes, she has been singing that hymn since she got involved in an accident that left her husband dead.  I am sorry Mr Inspector for my mom to have wasted your time.

stories by the humming bird

written by Hawulethu Patrice Dube

a saxjaz7 production

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