The Sunday News
Nestah Madziwa – I HAD sunk into great oblivion because of the extreme heat. This was around 3pm. I followed the black ribbon of tarred road, immaculately dressed, as I headed to town.
I abruptly turned anti-clockwise after noticing a trotting shadow of a man behind me.
I scrutinised him closely and after a moment’s observation I could tell that he had the enthusiasm to kill only by his eyes.
He was rather bewildered and rather big and ugly with yellow teeth. The very moment I noticed his scintillating 45 calibre pistol, I was frozen into immobility. And to my astonishment, they was nothing visible or audible. I almost went into dead faint. I was then ordered to get into a car which was obviously theirs.
I gradually entered the car which was almost empty. I started to feel vulnerable. My heart was skipping beats each chance it got. The driver started the car and headed to an unknown destination. We were approximately six. The car was similar to a commuter omnibus.
After a long silence I was asked my father’s phone number and reluctantly told them. The number was dialled. I heard the hideous man demanding a whopping one million in 48 hours and if he (my father) did not co-operate he was not going to see me again.
My father could not to do anything but oblige. He was given the co-ordinates and was told not to involve the police and the call ended.
So, after being inquisitive one thing was clear now. I was being held for ransom. This discovery made me shiver and feel intimidated.
At last, the vehicle ground to a halt. Before I could do anything I was drugged by a common drug, chlorine.
I regained consciousness in about three to five hours only to find myself nude. The room I was in was ablaze with lights and was well furnished. Unexpectedly I found myself in the presence of the most feared mafia in the whole region, Mzira Khuza.
It was about 8.30pm and I was getting hungry and this was not even the worst case-scenario, the interrogations started. I was asked personal questions and every time I tried to answer I was tortured with a razor blade or hit with a fully loaded fist.
While I was being assaulted, his majesty, Mzira smoked his cigars peacefully. I was tortured for an hour.
I was covered in blood and my face was repulsively disgusting.
Eventually, there was a knock at the door, the boss sent his henchman to answer it and he did not come back.
Realising that, Mzira himself stood up to see what was happening.
Boom! One bullet went straight into his forehead and he died.
It was my father and the police to rescue me. I had given up hope.
I was rushed to hospital and Mzira’s henchmen and his business partners were arrested and the business shut down.
