Khabazela was the most powerful Sangoma in Southern Africa, people paid millions of rands to consult with him. Back from Germany, he had a busy schedule, meeting the president of South Africa, Msholozi, followed by pastor Mboro at 7 p.m.

“Khabazela, I’m in deep trouble again my friend. Someone in my house told the media about my work with dead spirits and has leaked the photos of mermaids you sold,” he said from the dark room where they were sitting.

“Don’t worry, I’ll wash away all the bad talk on the streets, just drink this herb twice a day,” he pointed to one of the red brandy bottles with brown liquid inside. “And you just laugh at it off to make them realise that those stories have no basis. What I’m concern about is your ability to run your house, your wives are trying to curse you Msholozi, one by one. You need to divorce them all!”

Khabazela walked Msholozi out. “I know it’s not easy,” he continued, “but you need to also cut out your friends from the party, they’re ticking bombs waiting for the right time to vote you out!” he said standing next to the state car.

“Thanks Khabazela, your three million will be wired before midnight. Enjoy your evening,” he said as the guard closed the door.

***

Khafu had time to rest as Goboza dragged dead bodies back to the house. Goboza, who could speak to the dead found it hard to get an easy kill. His loud chains would drag along the wheel of the black hearse. Whenever people heard chains outside during the night, they all knew the fat monkey was back and locked the doors. Dogs didn’t make it easy for the township to sleep whenever they saw the chains wail across the street.

Unable to move quickly, the fat monkey would wait for drunk people to leave shebeens and chase them into the bush before strangling them to death. He would take vital organs from their bodies that will replace undesired parts stored back at Khafu’s place.

Ten dead bodies were recovered by Goboza who coached Khafu about Hili creation and how his ancestors wanted to look like when they wake up from the dead. The spirit of Mthumeni, the witch who spoke to animals, broke free as the second Hili. Khafu woke to a house full of rodents; he went to the kitchen and found the third party, slightly smaller than Goboza, being served coffee by rats.

“Khafu my son!” he roused from his chair to greet him.

“Excuse my manners,” Goboza said, “This is Mthumeni, the second born who killed the first born, with a thunder spear.,” he sang.

“And then?” Khafu asked referring to the rats.

“I just missed my rats, at least let them celebrate my return for today!” Mthumeni said as a big rat sat on the table. “And that one is your grandmother, Bathathe,” he added. Khafu lost his grip starring at the ugly rodent. “It’s not your actual grandmother but my late wife. See I really liked rats, so I kept her there!” he said.

The creation of the third Hili began and Goboza’s term came to rest. The victims of Mthumeni died slowly in the following days, their homes infested by diseases brought by Tsetse flies, cockroaches and mosquitoes. When the victims refused to give in, by going in and out of hospitals, Mthumeni sent poisonous snakes to bite the victims in their sleep, or worse sent Bathathe rats to go eat them alive.

Khafu spat at Morticians faces and they helped him carry dead bodies from morgue to his hearse. Ten dead bodies were used to awaken the third tokoloshi known as Mosha. His powers make people sleep forever. After his return from the dead, a black owl peaked the window.

“Open that window, his wife Ifa has returned too,” Mthumeni said and Khafu went on to welcome the black owl knocking down the window.

The next day Khafu went out shopping with his invincible family. The Hilis advised Khafu to get a new look and live a normal life in the township to avoid any witch craft suspicions. When he entered a Nike store, the sales girls laughed at his farmer look. Khazi, a very generous girl came to his rescue and showed him more suitable clothes.

Before Khafu finished buying all the items the whole store was impressed by his expenditure. Even the store manager gave Khazi a wink for her sales performance as Khafu said yes to everything. The store manager advised Khazi to take her lunch break and help Khafu carry the dozen bags to his car. On their path the lady told him how money should be spent.

“With so much money and you choose to ride this thing?” she asked when they got to the hearse.

“Uh… it’s a family car!” he said.

“Call me, next time I’ll take you to a garage because I’m not riding in that thing, sweaty!” Khazi said and turned. As she left, Khafu could not take his eyes off her.