A Recent Twin Murder in S. Africa. 215
average Colonial judge estimate the intensity of a primal fear out of which all religions have been evolved !
As it was important to pick up the details from the supposed Basuto murder, for the twin-fear and its consequences are rapidly disappearing, and we need to register its expiring forms, I applied to General Smuts for an official report of the trial, and received it in due course from one of his secretaries. It is sufficiently interesting to be offered to the readers of Folk-Lore, along with some comments of Dr. E. S. Hartland and myself.
The murder of the twins took place at Lobatsi, in the Bechu- analand Protectorate, and appears to have been wrongly attached to the Basuto people. Dr. Hartland points out at once that they appear to have been Makalaka (pL), not Basutos. And now for the main features of the official report.
Bechuanaland Protectorate. In the combined Court constituted under the provisions of section 4 of proclamation No. 2 of 1896. Holden at Lobatsi before
His Honour, J. C. Macgregor, C.M.G.,
Resident Commissioner : President. R. Reilly, Esq.,
Acting Resident Magistrate. M. Williams, Esq., Resident Magistrate. on Thursday, 17th November, 1921. . . . Case called :
The King versus Banyatsan and Chelelo. Charged with the crime of murder. Indictment read.
The prisoners being arraigned pleaded Both not guilty. Mr. Attorney Minchin for the Crown. Mr. Attorney Rice for the Defence. The following evidence was adduced in the presence and hearing of the accused, then in their sound and sober senses. H. H. Rice :
I am the Registrar of the Resident Commrs. Court. I put in the records of the Preliminary Examn. in the case of Ban- yatsan and Chelelo at Serowe.
