Tribe Marched Into Slavery.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 July 1922, Page 1

Tribe Marched Into Slavery.

A FIDE TOItTURI

JOHANNESBURG, May 17

1 have seen the full affidavits regarding the alleged raiding and driving into slavery of the Alsrwaga triblc, formerly occupying the Tuli Block, a small tenitorv at the southern end of Rhodesia.

The natives swear that they lived in the Tuli lilock for 20 years until attacked by King Khaina’s (Bcchuanaland) kilted regiments, which burnt their kraals, beat the men and looted their lints, the Ahirwaga chief Malenia alone losing C1,(540 in ' cash that was dug from under the tloor of his dwelling.

Two women who were heard screaming and pursued by soldiers were never seen again. A third woman loft sick in a but that was set on fire was rescued I)v her husband, lmt died.

The march of the captured tribe into King Khania’s reserve is described full of borors. No food was given to them during six days and six nights that they were on the march, the victims having to exist oil a little corn Hint they had saved and roots and berries. The Abinvagas declare that all night, all the women, irrespective of their age,were segregated from the men and laid out in rows and violated by King Khaina’s soldiers. At Dohonoiig, their new home, they were treated as slaves. Some of them were tortured by fire, and one mint was punished by being made to stand In the sun overv day lor a week. \ few Abirwagim escaped and went |,ark to the Tuli lilock, hut a second exiled it ion from Robonong destroyed their lints and dispersed the lust remnants of l lie trilile. , . , It is complained that the inquiry at Serowe. Basutoland, by Sir Herbert Slnlev, the former Resident Commissioner, was a fan e, legal representation Peine refused the Abinvagas and the court being surrounded by 20,000 of King Kllama’s people. A toll and impartial investigation is demanded.