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- 42 -was for the parties to inspect the damagetogether and settle the matter between themselves.If they did not agree, the matter was taken tocourt. Messengers would then be sent to assessthe damage and compensation given. 110)Damage to other forms of property entitled theowner ts restitution. In the case of arsonor other forms of damage to property,compensation often greatly exceeded the valueof the damaged property. Ill)At present the Natal Code 112) provides thatthe destruction of crops by cattle or otherstock will found an action for damages againstthe o~neror person having the custody and controlof such stock, unless such damage has been causedby the contributory negligence of the owner ofthe crops.2.5 JUDICATURE.Onthe whole the tribal Zulus led extremely well-orderedlives. All ~~lations between the people were regulatedby strict rules, which, whengenerally accepted,became law. Ordinary disputes were settled by the headof the kraal. If, however, the parties were not satisfied,the matter was taken to the district head,"INDUNA" and finally to the King.however,called theThere was nothing,to prevent the complaints from going directlyto ~he King in the first instance. It was not the duty,of the district heads to report cases to the King,113)but to try cases._ The King had legislative and judicial power.The peoplewere, however, ruled by custom and usage and very littlelegislation took place. Questions as to what the law)!lO) Ibid. , p. 207Ill) Ibid., p. 207112)-!N~a~t~a~1~~C~o~d~e~o~f~B~a~n~t~u~L~a~w~,section 134, p. 26113) SCHAPER~, I.: op.cit., p. 8443/•••••