FOURTEEN
WITNESS WAITED WITH WHAT patience he could muster for the election. He didn’t vote. What would be the point? But he went to the school—Tombi’s school—where the result would be announced. Although the constituency was small and less than a thousand people had voted, the count took longer than expected.
It was nearly midnight when the electoral officer led the candidates and party dignitaries onto the platform. The BDP candidate looked shocked. But Marumo had a huge smile, and the young people who’d worked for him erupted into cheering and dancing even before the result was announced. Their man had won by a handful of votes.
Witness stood silently, his fists clenched. At last, he was certain. He was looking at a man who came from nothing to become a man everyone knew. A man whose party had won an unbelievable victory. A man who said he was going to be president. And Witness was sure, too, that Tombi was dead, murdered to give that man the power for this impossible win.
He slipped away and drove home, tears running down his cheeks. But he now knew what he had to do.
IT HAD BEEN EASY to find where Marumo lived—a house on Pela Crescent. The telephone directory listed his address. It was that simple.
Late on Saturday afternoon Witness drove across town, found Chuma Drive, and a few moments later saw Pela Crescent on his left. He turned in and followed the road as it circled to the right. And there it was. Marumo’s house, surrounded by a high, concrete wall, with a heavy gate blocking the driveway. Witness looked around at the surrounding houses. This is a rich area, he thought. The properties are big, and the houses are set far apart. He was confident he would not be seen after dark if he was careful.
He turned left on the frontage road adjacent to Chuma Drive, drove past the Falcon Crest Suites, and parked a few hundred yards away under some trees alongside Julius Nyerere Drive. There he waited. The sun was setting and purple hues filled the western sky. Soon it would be dark.
Once night had fallen, Witness walked back to Pela Crescent. He had no real plan but hoped that Marumo would return home in the evening. Then he would confront him. He walked to Marumo’s house and peered through the gate. There were lights on, but there was no car in the driveway. He moved a short way down the street and slid behind a large bush. Nobody would see him there.
It was less than an hour later when a car drove down the street and turned into Marumo’s driveway. Witness heard the heavy gate sliding open. He jumped up, pulled a knife from his pocket, and slid toward the car. As it went through the gate, so did Witness. The gate trundled shut behind them.
Witness waited while Marumo turned off the engine and got out of the car, briefcase in hand. The car beeped as it locked, and Marumo turned to go inside. Witness stepped forward, grabbed Marumo from behind, covering his mouth with his hand, and pressed the knife against his throat.
“I’ll kill you if you call for help. Understand?”
Marumo nodded.
“I need answers. I’m going to take my hand off your mouth. Don’t make a sound except to answer. Otherwise I’ll kill you. Understand?”
Marumo nodded again.
“If you tell me the truth, I’ll let you live. Understand?”
Another nod.
Witness pushed Marumo against the garden wall. He pressed the knife harder against Marumo’s throat and took his hand off Marumo’s mouth. Marumo said nothing, but he was shaking.
“Turn around slowly.” Witness kept the knife at Marumo’s throat.
Witness could barely see Marumo’s face. Only the whites of his eyes were clearly visible. He pushed the point of the knife against Marumo’s throat. Marumo flinched and stifled a cry.
“Do you know who I am?”
“No!” gasped Marumo.
“I am Witness Maleng.”
Marumo said nothing, then flinched as Witness pushed the knife harder.
“You know who I am! Don’t lie to me!” Witness hissed, jabbing the knife even harder. “Do you remember the girl you stole from the road near Motswedi School? She was my daughter. My lovely daughter, Tombi.”
Marumo’s eyes darted from side to side, but he said nothing.
“You stole her for muti! That’s why you won the election yesterday. The witch doctor told me.”
“You’re wrong. You’re wrong! I don’t know what you are talking about. I didn’t steal your daughter! It’s not true!”
Witness pushed on the knife again. Marumo winced, and blood trickled down his neck. “You’re lying! My daughter disappeared just before your party wins? When nobody thought it would? I understand these things! You used her for muti! The witch doctor told me.” Witness’s voice was louder now.
“He’s lying! I didn’t get anything from him!”
“Mma Gondo is a famous witch doctor. She doesn’t lie!”
Marumo took a deep breath.
“Listen, she’s wrong. I never harmed anyone. Please believe me! Please.” Marumo’s voice and eyes pleaded with Witness.
“You lie! Tell me the truth, or I’ll kill you!” He pressed the knife even harder.
Marumo gasped and pushed at Witness.
“Help!” he shouted, flailing his arms.
Witness lunged forward, slashing at Marumo’s face. Marumo screamed, and Witness plunged his knife into his throat. The scream died, and Marumo collapsed, gurgling. Witness fell on him and stabbed him repeatedly until there was no more movement.
“You killed my daughter!” he sobbed. “You killed my Tombi!”