My Son's Trial (October 11th, 1946)

Today, October 11th, 1946, is the final day of the trial. Today decided whether or not my son would be ruled guilty or innocent. First, the Judge addressed Johannes Pafuri. Johannes Pafuri was the man that hit Arthur Jarvis's servant, Mpiring with a crowbar. There was no concrete evidence to prove that Pafuri was guilty besides Absalom's and Mipring's identification of his face but the Judge ruled that identification was invalid because Pafuri was wearing a bandana over half of his face that covered up half of the tic. So Pafuri was ruled not guilty. Next the Judge was giving his ruling on John Kumalo. John Kumalo did not physically injure anyone so he was ruled not guilty. Now I had a good feeling because the Judge has not ruled anyone guilty. After I though this, the Judge was giving his ruling for Absalom. He simply said that he was the one who shot Arthur Jarvis even if it was because he was scared. Once I heard the Judges ruling I fell to the floor and started sobbing. I did not want to lose my son. I could not even think straight I had so many emotions flowing through my mind. Before I realized it the judge adjourned the court and I had to leave. But I just could not do it. So Msimangu tried to help me up, but he could not. So a young white man helped Msimangu and I out of the courthouse, even though it broke court customs.

Here are some pictures of the courthouse that my son was being tried in.