The Poacher's Daughter

By Godfrey Malibe

Dicks Mahlakwane has turned a new leaf - he has traded his Poacher's arsenal for the Bible. But it will take more than just being a born-again Christian for the nit-picking community of Buffelshoek to embrace the ex-poacher as a reformed man.

It is not just the community of Buffelshoek who have an axe to grind with the notorious ex-poacher. It seems his faceless enemies also prefer him dead. 

He is murdered, his death rattling his wife Dimakatso so much she also dies of heartbreak. This leaves their children, 16-year-old Mmanaka and her younger brother under the 'care' of the wayward aunt Molly, whose parenting skills can be likened to a rat's. The siblings practically raise themselves, leaving Mmanaka at the mercy of boys titillated by the onset of puberty, and older men lusting over her young body merely as punishment for her father's sins. Mmanaka"s life soon becomes a story of shame, hope and a desperate need for victory over tragedy. 

The Poacher's daughter is Godfrey Malibe's third book but his debut in fiction. He has delivered a pulse-pounding novel full of suspense and sharp wit, each chapter leaving the reader with a heart-racing cliffhanger. 
"Godfey Malibe's Poacher's Daughter is an achingly poignant rollercoaster packed with dynamic characters across the pages. He weaves each scene with unwavering finesse, leaving the reader with a cliffhanger at the end of each chapter, which means you will never get respite from the action. The easy, fluent and effortless way in which he writes vividly depicts the characters' joy, their fears and constant ebbs and flows." 

Thokozani Magagula
Author & Founder of PUBLISH'D AFRIKA. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Godfrey Malibe
• Release date: Oct 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201801649

Book preview

Disclaimer

This is a work of fiction. No actual persons are represented and any coincidences that resonate with the lives or actions of any actual persons were not intended and the author absolves himself of any liability in this regard.

Dedication

This novel is dedicated to the people of Bolla-Tau. When you hear your son roar, it confirms he was born in a tribe of lions. Let this be an inspiration to future writers from this side of the mountains! 

PART 1

Chapter 1

None of the heated arguments amongst the impassioned villagers could erase the news that Bra Dicks was no more. Not one of the individual members of the community was right...or wrong. Not one of them was qualified enough or disqualified to speak about the nonchalant life of the rhino poacher. And not one of their incensed indictments, or gleeful anecdotes, could stand a chance against the terrifying headline that mercilessly stated that

Dickson Mahlakwane Is Dead. 

"O kgwile Mahlakwane."

"Hebanna!"

He is dead? 

Finally, blurted out one drunken villager who took to early boozing the second the news of Mahlakwane’s passing reached his ears. 

Dickson Mahlakwane was a hell of a hero.

"No! He was a bloody villain! Skelm! Scum of the earth!"

"But Bra Dicks was a hardworking man who did what is required of honourable men who want to keep their families out of the cruel clutches of poverty."

Granted, but how could any heroic gentleman allow his life to be stained with the smelly reputation of a rhino-poaching maverick?

Well, wasn’t he eventually recognized as a reformed man who gave his life to faith and dedicated his last years to praise-worthy community work and entrepreneurial service?

The news had travelled on a fast telegram of rural gossip, piercing through the brainwaves of a potentially peaceful community that spent Sunday night not knowing that the next day, their lips would be rubbing against the infamous name of a man they had grown to love and hate, or rather love to hate, if not hate to love. 

When the chilly morning broke, along with the news of Mahlakwane’s untimely ascension to the gates of the much-fantasized about paradise, or his overdue descent to the pits of hell, the people of Buffelshoek were thrown into an impromptu debate that left them reeling from an unhealthy ration of mixed emotions. 

"Bra Dicks is now sitting in the presence of our heroes, boNtate Nelson Mandela, Robert Sobukwe and boJoe Slovo," said an admirer of the deceased. 

"Phuuu, spat a fellow villager. How dare you desecrate the names of our national icons? Our icons must be turning in their graves for what you’ve just said. Just because that monster once spent some time in jail doesn’t make him a hero, does it?" 

That man was not our liberator. In fact, we all know that he specialized in killing endangered animals for money. Our liberation heroes went to jail because they believed that we all deserve equal rights and equal treatment, not for attempting to get rich quickly through unblessed ways, another offered. 

It is often said that Some animals are more equal than others."

"Sies, man! Mahlakwane was a disgrace, a shameless criminal who violated both human and animal rights. Who could forget how he used to mistreat everyone in this village?" 

The burly, towering poacher was certainly going to get tongues wagging in death, as he did alive. While his notoriety preceded him, he was equally menacing in person, with veins sticking out of his bulging arms like strings on a guitar and legs that were almost the size of tree trunks. Despite his gigantic frame, he was as agile as a monkey, with big brown eyes that could spot a rhino in the camouflage of a thick bush.

By 9 am, the news of Mahlakwane’s death had spread from his avocado-strewn yard to the streets like wildfire, covering not only Buffelshoek, but the entire Bolla-Tau semi-rural settlement situated north of Bushbuckridge, in the Mpumalanga Province. Bolla-Tau, which falls under the control of the Ga-Moletele Tribal Authority, was given its Sesotho name in admiration of the roaring lions that roamed the area, specifically due to its proximity to the Manyeleti Game Reserve. 

"Bra Dicks was the lion of Bolla-Tau! You surely cannot ignore the fact that he became a charitable Christian or just a plain church-goer when he returned from prison," the admirer spoke. 

"Oh, shut up, Segatamarokgwana ke wena! You are only singing his praises because you want to be involved in the family’s funeral arrangements, especially the slaughtering of the cow," retorted one from the anti-Dicks brigade. 

Oh, yes... We know all about you and your tendency to rob grieving families of their cow heels and hides. No wonder you are dead-set on holding the slaughtering shift, you greedy parasite, another added. 

––––––––

Chapter 2

Different opinions took centre stage on that windy August morning. Some villagers reportedly collapsed or fell from their chairs upon hearing the shocking news, while others shivered in their shoes in disbelief or from a sense of unexpected celebrations. No one could verify the rumour that an elderly woman had choked on her tea and sweet potato breakfast, but such was the buzz that was to mark the end of an era involving the controversial life of a man of many complexities. 

It was only at his household where grief could be ascertained. His wife and two children were truly in mourning. Despite her husband’s notoriety, Dimakatso had made sure that their family was well-respected. Her warmth and pure character made people forget how they felt about Mahlakwane’s contradictions. They knew her as a loving mother, a devoted wife and a virtuous neighbour. No one could deduct those points from her good life’s account. Nothing could besmirch her good name. Not even