Warning of the coming Dark

07 April 2022

 

As the relentless rains begin to pour heavily across the province of KZN the news of the devastation caused begin to spread across the country through the news and social media. Weather alert has been issued by the government but to some sectors of the community this is just another rainy season for the province. Ofcourse for the farmers, rains are always a blessing and after a lengthy period of dry season and shortage of water in some part of the province, wet weather is certainly welcome. Little did they know...

 

07:45

 

Pastor Mkhize

 

"Daddy I wish there was something we could do for those people outside the church's gate. It's raining cats and dogs out there. Those people must be cold and wet in this weather..." a worried Thandeka says to her father as the family sits in the lounge of their home listening to the pouring rains outside. No one has gone anywhere today after the weather service issued an alert.

"Oh come on Thandeka, don't start with that again, alright? What can be done for them exactly?" Zoleka says as she looks a little annoyed by her daughter. "Mama, there's plenty that we can do alright? I mean, we can provide them with warm blankets, cook them a meal or even let them inside the church's gate so that they can find dry shelter there in the verandas. I mean I can drive there myself to give them food." Thandeka says with a begging voice as she looks at her father but Zoleka cuts in once again, "Oh Thandeka, are you insane? Let them inside the church's premises? Don't be ridiculous. That's the house of God for Christ's sake."

"Yes, it is the house of God..." Thandeka says as she throws hands. "Aren't you the one always preaching that God is a strong tower...that he is a shelter from the rain? Well guess what mama, today it is pouring out there and those people at the gate don't have shelter. And you as a preacher should be should be an example, shouldn't you?"

"Oh here we go again..." Thandeka's twin JJ says as he rolls eyes but his father intervenes, "Okay, that's enough." Jabulani shouts. "Thandeka, what's wrong with you huh? You know very well that we can't let those people inside the premises...there's church equipment that's in there. We'd have to hire 4 or even 5 extra guards to ensure that no one breaks in and we don't have that money. Besides that, even if we could be able to cook for those people and buy them blankets we can't drive there in this weather. You heard weather service cautioning against it."

"You know what dad, salani kanjalo nesonto lenu(to hell with your church)..." annoyed Thandeka says as she stands up. "You are just making an excuse so that you won't help...yeah, yet I'm the unbeliever in this house." She turns to leave the room but her father calls out, "Thandeka, I'm not done talking to you...come back here." he shouts but Thandeka ignores as she climbs the stairs, leaving her family stunned.

***

 

08:15

 

Thulani Malinga

 

The station commander is still at home waiting for the heavy rains to stop because his wife is concerned that driving in this weather may be dangerous, but the dedicated police officer is determined to get to the station so that he can work on rising cases of mugging in the area.

Thulani Malinga is a 48 year-old police captain who has been in the service for 26 years and is passionate about his job. He and his wife Sindi who is 38 have been married for 10 years and they have a 8 year-daughter together. He is a family-dedicated man even though sometimes his job takes a lot of his time. Lately his station has been swamped with cases of mugging in the area and there's a growing threats from the community who wants to start protest action as a result. Now he wants to find these criminals and bring them to book before everything else get out of control.

"Sweetheart, I'm worried about you going out there...the rain is only getting heavier. It is certainly not safe for you to drive." a concerned-looking Sindi says as she sits in the couch opposite her husband who is having a cup of hot coffee. "I know honey but I have to go to work, there is a lot of work that has to be done." Thulani says as he shrugs his shoulders. "Remember I told you about the incidents of mugging that have been taking place over the past couple of weeks? Well, we are just trying to get control of the situation before the community start action protests against the police."

"Yes baby I know that alright? And I know how much you are dedicated to your job, but I'm just worried about this weather. I'm sure many roads are logged with water now, it's gonna be difficult drive around..." Sindi says with a rather worried voice as she also takes a sip of her coffee. She seems a little anxious as she looks outside the window.

"Yeah I know baby but I suppose I will have to drive slowly until I get there. Don't worry sweetheart I will call you as soon as I get to the station." Thulani says with an assuring smile. "Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you the other day...Ben Ngubane also came to the station accompanying her daughter who was opening a case of mugging. Let's just say he was less than pleased that these criminals haven't been caught yet but I understand how he feels. The community is living in fear these days and if we don’t find these thugs fast things will erupt into chaos in the coming days."

"What a shame, Ngubane's daughter? He is a good man..." Sindi says with a worried face and a sad voice but her husband cuts in, "Yes he is but I think he is impulsive..." Thulani says calmly. "That day he threatened to take matters into his own hands and that worries me because I know his past. I remember him as an activist back in the day...he used to rally people up, to start protests. So if he decides to do the same now after his daughter was also mugged you can be sure that the community will rally behind him."

"Well, let's hope it never gets to that hey..." Sindi says with a sigh. "Yeah, let's hope." Thulani says as he shrugs his shoulders. "Anyway let me get going sweetheart..." he says as he stands up to kiss his wife on the forehead. "I will call you when I get into the office, I love you." He picks up his bag and goes out the door that leads to the garage, leaving his wife with a worried look on her face.

 

 

10:30

 

The Politician

Sizwe Mthembu

 

Minister Mthembu is back in Cape Town at his ministerial home and he, just like everyone else is watching the news reports on the damage the rains are currently causing across the province of KZN. In their warm clothes and covered in blankets he and his wife Portia are sitting in the warm lounge with their eyes glued on the TV screen.

"Babe, I hope you guys are ready and prepared to deal with the crisis these rains will bring...I'm really worried for the people there in KZN..." Portia says with a low voice. "Yeah let's hope that it won't get worse than it already is..." Sizwe says with a sigh as he takes a sip of his whiskey. "But you guys have a budget for something like this, right?" Portia asks curiously as she also takes a sip of her favorite sweet red wine. "Yeah baby we do have that...there is Disaster Management Fund that is activated in the wake of a disaster. I have to speak to the finance Minister and check if we things get worse. But you know, there's a long way before we can even determine that."

"But love, we are watching the news together...the nation is watching what is happening in many different parts of KZN..." Portia says as she points at the TV screen. "Baby...shacks; houses; bridges and even some shops are falling apart there. People and cars are being swept away by the floods and roads are water logged. I can pretty much say that this is a disaster..."

"Yeah baby I hear you but the funds are not released until the state of disaster is declared." Sizwe says as he takes another sip. "The President will have to declare the state of disaster before anyone can act and yes I know how it looks baby but sometimes these things can be very political..."

"Well, you better tell the President t declare state of disaster then because people are dying out there and I can bet my last cent that the numbers will keep rising. Have you deployed emergency services to the province? Reports say police stations are full of people who are reporting their loved ones having gone missing." Portia says as she seems a little upset by all of this.

"Yes baby, we have rescue teams all over the place trying to assist communities however possible but remember baby, KZN is a huge province...things won't move as quickly as we'd love." Sizwe says as he begins to be a little irritated by her 'nagging' wife. "I'm sorry love, I have to take this call, alright?" He quickly stands up and leaves the lounge as he takes a call, leaving his worried wife glued on the screen.