Bout of malaria sparks rumours of witchcraft

There is a saying in my mother tongue on the folly of eavesdropping on people. After my experience this morning I fully understand the reason for the warning.

Let me start from the beginning. I resumed work today after a two-week sick off.

I have been bed-ridden with a severe bout of Malaria.

I had all the symptoms — from a fever to a running stomach to panic attacks — for a moment I thought I was about to meet my maker.

I never thought the day would come when I would look forward to working, but today the day did indeed come.

In my excitement, I reported to work at 7 am.

I locked myself in the office and begun working on my laptop.

Half an hour later I felt very thirsty and decided to walk to the tea room for a refreshing cup of tea.

Just before I opened the door, I realised that the entire cleaning team was having their daily dose of morning tea and gossip.

Based on my experiences with Peninah the cleaning woman, I have come to realise that cleaners have lots of information to give.

My belief was reinforced when I heard my name pop up again and again.

Since my interest had been sufficiently piqued, I hid my frame in a vantage corner where I could stay unnoticed as they spoke.

One particular buxom woman (the one who cleans my office) had the whole room in a trance as she mouthed a very juicy story.

I could not believe my ears when she said that my former PA had asked her to place a pouch filled with mitishamba in the bottom drawer of my desk.

Her entire audience let out a collective gasp as she said, “the very next day, Bwana Josphat got very unwell.” She went on to say that my former PA was determined to hound me out of the office by ensuring that I get too ill to perform.

I was tempted to walk in and say, “nonsense!” and fire all of them.

Of course I lack the powers to do so since all the cleaners are contracted.

I stealthily walked out of my corner and tiptoed back to my office and pretended to work.

Looking back, a part of me did not believe one word of the conversation.

After all, mosquitoes cause Malaria not powdered potions.

However, my mother’s fears regarding witchcraft kept ringing in my ears.

I find it also too much of a coincidence that I got sick soon after the portion was allegedly placed in my drawer.

The other side of my brain would say that perhaps the cleaning woman was just making it all up to score points with her co-workers.

Finally, I decided to put my doubt to rest by opening the drawer.

My bottom drawer contains an assortment of old papers, handbooks and even a pair of shoes.

I had to dig very deep and remove everything before I could see what was at the bottom.

As sure as the sky is blue, I found a tiny bundle of polythene paper placed firmly in a corner of my desk drawer.

I decided not to take any chances with the portion.

In fact, I decided to go and throw it far away into the ocean.

I shut down my computer, switched off the lights and went to the parking lot.

I drove to the seaside and hurled the annoying bundle into the ocean.

On my way back, I decided to find a way of limiting cleaners’ access to my office.

However, if I did that it could raise suspicion.

So I decided to give the impression that all was well and let things stay as they were.

When I walked into the office I bumped into my very shocked cleaning woman.

I had to resist the temptation to smugly tell her “your magic cannot work one me!” She put on a big smile and even thanked the Lord for my good health. What sarcasm!

Source: http://www.businessdailyafrica.com