But Prince did not go to his home, but instead ran to his uncle’s house in Mutare. He explained everything and his uncle insisted he report the matter, but Prince knew that the authorities weren’t going to believe him.

After a few days, Prince went to his home. When he arrived he noticed it was very quiet and the yard was dirty. He knocked at the door but there was no response. There was a funny smell coming from inside the house.

Prince forced open the door and could not believe his eyes.

His parents lay dead in the living room. He realised Nduna’s boys had been there and were responsible for it.

He didn’t want to put his uncle in any risk so he went to live in the bushes while he tried to figure out his next move.

Two days later, his uncle followed him to their home to check on him. When he arrived, he was shocked to see his brother’s body together with his wife laying dead. He had one thing in mind; he thought Prince was responsible. He went and reported the matter to the police.

Prince was now a wanted man.

He decided to go warn his uncle about Nduna and his boys. When he arrived there were police vans outside. Prince thought maybe his uncle had also been killed and he ran in, not knowing his uncle had requested for a protection order against him.

As he went into the house, his uncle shouted, “That is the murderer!”

Before Prince could explain, he was thrown into the back of the van. He was charged with murder and was set to appear before a magistrate in the high court.

Nduna heard the news and the commander told him to go collect Prince so he could serve jail in the Chivhu Soldiers Jail since he was a soldier. Nduna went and explained the scenario to the police who agreed to hand Prince over, but they insisted he still had to attend court first.

After two days of imprisonment, Prince appeared before the magistrate. As he went up to the dock, he had one thing in mind. His intention was to accept the charges so that he would stay in jail and be free from Nduna and his boys.

Just as he looked at the crowd, he couldn’t believe who he saw. There sat Nduna boastfully in the front row with his boys.

“That is him!” cried Prince.

“What about him?!” asked the judge.

The judge gave Prince a chance to explain and Prince told them the whole story. Even though the judge was convinced of Prince’s innocence, there was supposed to at least be proof or a witness to all of it.

Nduna stood up angrily and asked if he had proof for all the accusations. He said that everything that Prince was saying was a lie and would have him charged for it as well.

“Do you have any proof?” the judge asked.

“No, I don’t have proof. The only witness and proof was my roommate, Melusi, whom Nduna and his men killed,” explained Prince.

So the judge told him there was no way he was going to accuse someone without any proof.

A voice from the entrance was heard.

“Here is the witness!”

Everybody turned to look and Ndumiso, one of Nduna’s boys collapsed.

Prince, Nduna and his boys couldn’t believe it. It was Melusi. They all thought he was dead. Melusi had only collapsed after being stabbed by Nduna. Although he had blood stains, he was allowed to come and testify. He had been living in the bush for days in fear of his leader Nduna. Still, the judge wasn’t convinced.

Ndumiso gained consciousness and in a state of shock, explained everything.

The judge ordered the police to arrest Nduna and his boys and Prince was released. He and Melusi were asked if they still wanted to return to the barracks.

They both chose to return and save their country, only if the rules at the camp were changed. It was done as they had wanted and the commander decided to retire and left Prince in charge. Melusi became his right hand man and together they ran the camp with fairness and integrity.

***

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