Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review Volumes 32 and 33.djvu/527

 A Recent Tivifi-Murder in S. Africa. 217

the natives, who were evidently in great fear, we will take Mayoka's evidence first.)

Mayoka. I am a Mokhurutse living at Sheshi. I know both the accused. I am related to the accused Chelelo. She is my cousin. I know Banyatsan well. She gave birth to twins about six months ago. I saw them. They were in good health. Chelelo was not present when the children were born. She arrived the day after the birth of the twins. On the fourth day after the birth I went away. When I returned the same day I asked Gabalene whether she had fed the children. She replied that she could not feed the children because they were killed. She asked me to go into the hut to see the children, but I refused. I asked the accused Chelelo if it was true what I was told that she had killed the children. Chelelo replied, "Yes, it is true that the children are killed."

The hut where the children were killed is far in the veldt. I went home and reported the matter to Kgekanyane (the father of the twins). Chelelo did not say how she killed the children. I was not present when the Doctor saw the bodies. I did not help to dig the grave. I did not tell the magistrate so. By Mr. Rice.

Long ago it was the custom to kill twins, I have heard. I do not know how they used to be killed. There are no twins alive in the Stadt I live in. I went to tell the husband. He was not pleased ; he said he had meant to get a cow to bring the children up with the milk. I do not think the father recog- nised the custom of killing the twins, otherwise he would not have reported the matter or fetched a cow for them from the post. Long ago it was the custom to kill twins, but it is not so now. I cannot say why Chelelo killed the children. By the President.

I do not know why they killed the twins, as it is no more the custom.

Now for the evidence of Gabalene.

Gabalene. I am a Mokalaka under Chief Khama. I know the two accused. I live at Shashi. I am related to Banyatsan. Banyatsan is married to Kgekanyane, and she lives at