Shock
*Mthoko is on a call with Phakathi*Phakathi: "So, is your cover blown by this?"
Mthoko: "No sir..."
Phakathi: "What are the other Taxi owners saying about yesterday's incident? The arrest of their chairman?"
Mthoko: "Uhmm...we are having the association meeting tomorrow so, we will see where everyone is at with this thing.
*small silence*
Phakathi: "And the journalist? You have her under control?"
Mthoko: "Oh, yes sir. She's not gonna be a problem..."
Phakathi: "She better not be..."
Mthoko: "Oh sir, I was meaning to ask...the police? How did they know where we were? What do they even know?"
*Another silence*
Phakathi: "A tip off..."
Mthoko: "Sir...?"
Phakathi: "Look, we couldn't just let you go there without cover okay? If anything happened to you, it was going mess everything up"
Mthoko: "I hear you sir. But what do they know?"
Phakathi: "Look, that's not the priority right now okay? The focus should be on the deal. Speaking of which...it is next Friday. I will send you the details."
Mthoko: "Yes sir...Did we find out who the dealer is?"
*another silence*
Phakathi: "I will send you that info as well...But from now on we have to be very careful about this operation, you hear me? We are this close from closing this case. No mistakes, be careful about what info gets in or out"
Mthoko: Understood sir. But can I use my own assets on this one? I mean, we don't know how deep this goes so I need people I can trust to watch my back."
*Small silence*
Phakathi: "Yeah well...why not? If you can spare them...It's your mission anyways. But You must understand that if they are caught or killed there's nothing I can do for them"
Mthoko: "Understood..."
Phakathi: "We are almost at the end Sibisi. You have done a great job...and I know the sacrifices you have made, that won't go unnoticed"
Mthoko: "Thank you sir...anything for my country"
Phakathi: "Alright, I will be in touch..."
*Call dropped*
***
The following day is the Taxi Association meeting in the usual school hall and everyone looks a little nervous over what happened on Friday morning. Even those who weren't there now know but no one can completely understand what's really going on. They are just hoping that Mthoko will clarify things for them. Ofcourse levels of trust amongst the owners is understandably low right now as they all look at each other with eyes of suspicion.
There's about 11 members present in this school hall and Zikode and his closest allies Mavusana and Ndlela are notable absentees. At this point, everyone just want detailed clarity on what transpired on Friday before this starts causing panic.
"Uhmm...alright guys, thank you all for coming and I have been asked to chair this meeting since our chairman is not available today as you all now heard" Nduna Morena, a close friend of Mthoko says as he stands in front of the hall. "Well gentlemen, we only have one item on the agenda and that's is discussion on the 3 members particular that aren't here and the reasons behind that. Those members being Zikode, Mavusana and Ndlela...we all want to know what happened with them or what's been happening that we weren't aware of. Well, the person to clarify things for us is Sibisi." he says as he points at Mthoko.
As soon as Morena says that, everyone starts looking at each other in wonder. Then they all fix their eyes on Mthoko with keen interest, especially those who weren't present on Friday during the incident where 3 of Zikode's men died while he and his friends were arrested. Everyone is paying attention as Mthoko goes to the front.
"Can I stress that what is discussed here must never leave this hall, please. I will request though that we allow Sibisi to enlighten us on certain things...let's be patient and give him time. When he's done then we can ask questions" Morena says as he smiles at his friend before going to sit down. At that point everyone looks anxious as they sit straight to ensure their concentration levels are high. Mthoko himself looks nervous as this won't be easy to explain to his colleagues, largely because he's not actually allowed to give out sensitive information.
"Uhmm, guys...there's actually no easier way of trying to explain this situation but I will do my best to give you much information as possible. And I will answer as many questions as possible" he says as looks across the room of men who aren't showing much emotion. They just want him to be out with it already. So he takes a deep breathe to calm himself.
"So, a few months ago I got a tip that Fana Zikode and his closest friends Mavusana and Ndlela were working for foreign nationals to transport drugs" he says with a nervous voice, much to everyone's shock in the room but he motions with his hand for everyone to calm down. "Look, of course I can’t tell you the source but it was a credible source" he says calmly. "From there I then began to follow these men closely and I know you will ask me why I never brought this to the attention of the members. Well, truth is...I wasn't sure how many members are doing dealing drugs in the association, so I had to gather enough evidence"
This makes everyone look at each other with distrust as they are trying to make sense of all this. "But didn't you go to the police?" One member shouts from the back, which leads a little commotion as everyone seems to agree with the question. But once again Mthoko motions with his hand for everyone to keep quiet.
"Uhmm...look it wasn't as simple as that okay?" he says as he takes a deep sigh. "I learnt that Zikode had a police officer in the department who worked with him, so I couldn't take that risk" he says, much to everyone's shock as they find this hard to believe but Mthoko continues, "Guys listen, besides that, the last thing I wanted was dragging this association's name through the mud. Once I had gathered enough information on what was going on I was then going to tell you guys so that we can deal with ourselves. Involving the police was going to make the public lose trust in us as an industry, so I did what I had to do"
Well, that statement seems to calm everyone down a little bit as they look at each other but Mthoko continues, "When the killings, which by the way were linked to this drug business Zikode was involve in started happening, I had to protect the image of the industry. I became a source for the journalist who was covering the story. These killings had to look like any taxi turf wars around the country."
Another little commotion ensues as everyone look at each other in wonder but Mthoko quickly jumps back in, "Anyway, so Zikode found out after having kidnapped the journalist I had taken to safety, when it was agreed in the meeting, that she must be interrogated. You were all there" he says. "I couldn't take a chance of Zikode and his friends killing an innocent woman doing her job. I was the one who fed the journalist misinformation...in order to protect this association from that scandal. I'm sorry guys, I couldn't tell any of you what was going on"
Well this leads to a bit of a silence as it looks like some do understand what Mthoko is saying. But others are a little hard to read as to which side of the fence they are leaning. "But were drugs ever found on these guys? Is there any proof to the allegations?" one members shouts from the other corner. It seems to be an interesting question for the rest of everyone as they wait for the response. Now Mthoko has to think fast on what to say because one wrong answer will create doubts on his story. So far he feels that he's been able to warm his way to the members' minds.
"Well, my source ensures me that those arrested for the killings of Fezile and others have confessed to the dealings with Zikode and his friends..." he says with a firm voice as he looks across the room. "Also these suspects are known drug dealers who have been wanted by the police but all of this had been kept quiet at my request for the association's sake. I've had to bribe a few police officers to keep this quiet."
This statement seems to please all the members as they nod in gratitude but Mthoko continues, "So when Zikode found out that I was the source for the journalist he took her and asked to see me." he says softly. "He wanted to know what I know. So I took Morena, Shoes and Mqeqeshi with me as witness, which was risky but it paid of. What I'm not clear about though is how the police found us but I suspect that it was just luck" he says as he shrugs his shoulders. "You see, the police have been following me for a very long time because they must have thought I was involved in the killings that were happening. So I suppose that worked in my favor as they arrived right on time when things were starting to get hot"
This also shocks people as they all look confused. This is so hard for most of them to believe as they have been working with Zikode for a very long time and they'd never imagined anything like this. If anything this information is creating more questions than answers for the members here in the hall.
"As things stand, Zikode is in hospital under police guard and his friends, Mavusana and Ndlela are in custody. They will stand trial on dealing with drugs." Mthoko says with a very firm voice as his face becomes serious. "But I really request as Nduna has already, that none of this leaves this hall. No one must know what has happened to these men, atleast not until they have appeared in court and trial date set. The last thing we want is having our association being drawn into all this. The public will never trust us once they find out that taxi owners are transporting drugs with the taxis they take to work everyday"
Well, to Mthoko's surprise everyone seems to be agreeing with him on this as they nod while looking at each other. At that he smiles as he goes back to sit down allowing Morena to come back to the front. "Uhmm...thank you for that Sibisi. Thank you for the details you have just provided" he says with a low voice.
"Any questions to Sibisi?" he asks as he looks across the hall but to his surprise everyone seems satisfied with the details Mthoko provided. "Alright then guys, meeting is adjourned" Morena says and everyone gets up and starts mingling amongst each other.
***
The following day, it seems Phuthuma is still struggling with to cope with the trauma of the past few weeks and is doing everything she can to avoid people. The last time she entertained a visitor at her home was last Friday when her boss came around to see her. But throughout the weekend she's been locking herself in the room, hardly eating anything. The thought of people pointing big guns at her still haunt her at night.
But even though she's still not in the mood of seeing people, it's hard to avoid the man who rescued her from all the gates of death-Mthoko. The two have a history since they had a brief affair when the killings started, so Phuthuma has a soft for Mthoko who probably has a soft for the journalist as well. Even though Mthoko is probably the reason she was kidnapped in the first place, Phuthuma will forever be grateful that the taxi boss risked his life to rescue her from Zikode and his friends. Seeing him sitting in front of her under the tree of her lawn brings back some memories. She wonders if there's any spark between them, but that's not the question she'd ask.
"Uhmm...I'm sorry for just showing up like this but I just wanted to come and check on you. And quiet frankly to apologize for putting you through all that trauma. It was really selfish of me Phuthuma, I'm sorry" an ashamed and embarrassed Mthoko says with a low voice as he struggles to make a clean eye contact.
"Uhmm...it's okay Mthoko. You did what you had to do..." Phuthuma says with a low voice as she looks away. She's clearly feeling the awkwardness between them. "No, no, no...it's not okay, alright?" Mthoko interjects, "I shouldn't have involved you in this dangerous world. I could have come up with a better strategy but I'm glad you are home safe now" he says as he smiles nervously. "Am I? Am I safe really Mthoko? What if your friends come for me and my family?" Phuthuma says with a trembling voice as she begins to be anxious a little bit. This is the thing she was trying to avoid with people.
"No, no, no...that won't happen Phuthuma, I promise okay?" Mthoko says as she takes Phuthuma's hand. She doesn't pull back as this seems to assure her a little bit. But it also threatens to awaken chemistry between them as they lock their eyes on each other. Suddenly Mthoko snaps out of it as he pulls his hand back. "Uhmm...Zikode is in hospital under police guard and hos other friends are in custody. They will all stand trial soon. There's enough to put them away for a very long time" he says as he clears his throat awkwardly.
"So will I have to testify?" Phuthuma asks with a worried face which makes Mthoko think for a second before saying, "Well, look...there's enough to charge them without including the kidnapping because I understand how that will make you uncomfortable. So, no...you don't have to testify okay?" with a smile of assurance.
This seems to come as a relief to Phuthuma as she breathes a sigh of relief. "So, what about the other bigger problem? I know Zikode was part of it but you had the other guys involved in this whole thing right?" she asks with keen interest. Mthoko thinks for a second as he isn't sure how to answer her. "Well, uhmm...you don't have to worry yourself about that okay?" he says with a smile. "This will all be over soon..." as he drinks the juice in front him that Phuthuma brought when he arrived. She can see that Mthoko doesn't want to get into it so she now knows better than to force it out of him.
"So how is Bhekani? I saw those men shoot him and it was actually the first time seeing a person being shot in front of me" she asks as she begins to look sad a little bit. "Uhmm...Bhekani is recovering well but don't worry it was not your fault that he was shot okay? He is a big boy, he can take it"
This is a relief to Phuthuma who was feeling bad that Bhekani was shot while protecting her. "Oh that's a relief..." she says as she also takes a sip of her a drink. But then this is followed by awkward silence as it doesn't look any of them know what to say to the other. "Uhmm...so tell me, does your family know about...you know...about you and all that's happening?" Phuthuma asks with a nervous voice as she looks at her visitor in the eyes to see how he'd react to this. Well, clearly Mthoko looks discomforted by the question as he suddenly stands up.
"Look, I got to go okay? I will keep in tough..." he says with a straight face but Phuthuma also stands up, "Wait, you are going already? Did I..." she says but Mthoko quickly cuts in, "I have to run okay? Take care of yourself" he says as he goes straight for the gate, leaving Phuthuma standing there wondering what that was about.
***
At the police station, commisioner Naidoo is in a panic mode as he can't seem to know what's going on these days. What almost caused him a heart attack over the weekend is learning that Zikode and his friends were arrested last Thursday and no one is allowed access to them. This makes things harder for him as he doesn't know what led to the arrest or if his name came up. At this stage he can't even get hold of his 'inside man', Mxolisi to try and found out what might have happened.
He has authority to ask captain Dube about this but he fears he may give too much away in panic. So, he calls the captain into the boardroom thinking, I will just wing it and see what comes of it. It doesn't help that Dube is wearing a straight face, not showing where his is head at with all this.
"So, captain...I heard that Fana Zikode and his associates were arrested last week. Care to share with me the details?" Naidoo says with a rather nervous voice. Dube can't say this wasn't coming but he never quiet thought about what his response would be. He can see that the commissioner is panicking and he is trying to think how he can get the most out of it. As for Naidoo, he is trying hard to maintain atleast a straight face and not give too much away but it's not easy. "Oh, uhmm...that information is correct but I'm afraid I can't give out more than that at this stage. I hope you understand sir" Dube says politely.
Well, ofcourse it was a long shot for the commissioner. He didn't really expect Dube to come out and just give him the details he needs. What he wanted to do was to read him to see where he is at. He needs to k ow if his name has come up in all this. He also needs to know if higher authorities are being kept on the loop about what's happening.
"Uhmm...I'm sorry but I don't understand. What do you mean you can't give out more information on this?" he asks as he leans forward so that he could look at Dube in the eyes. He is probably hoping that it will be intimidating enough. "Uhmm...there's an indication that the suspects are connected to people within the department sir. So we don't really know how deep this goes..." Dube says with a rather nervous voice dreading what the commissioner's reaction would be. "Uhmm...but I am the commissioner, Dube..." Naidoo says as he tries to hide his irritation on the captain’s response.
"I'm sorry sir...but I think I have said too much already" Dube says as he tries to avoid eye contact but Naidoo quickly jumps in, "Who else knows about this case, apart from us and your two detectives?" he asks but this question is meat with Dube's straight face as he looks at him in the eyes. He doesn't say anything.
"Right, right, right...you have said enough already" Naidoo says as he pulls away from Dube's piercing eyes. "Alright then, carry on..." he says as he takes his hat and goes out of the room, leaving Dube sitting there still with a straight face.
***
At the Sibisi house, Mthoko is in his study seemingly very much deep in thought. This is a very important and potentially dangerous week of his life and all he can think about is his family. It was such a relief for him to finally open up to his wife about his job as a government agent but it did create a mistrust in the family as things have been a little tense between him and his wife since he told her about this. Now all he wants is for all this to be over so that he can leave a normal life again, if he can remember what that is.
So as he sits on his desk thinking, someone comes through the door- it's his wife Lindiwe. She hardly ever comes down here to this office because she knows this is where her husband comes to work without any disturbance. While they don't really keep things from each other, Lindiwe knows that Mthoko usually has meetings here with Bhekani or his brother Siyanda. So she prefers to just stay away but today she has decided to come see him away from the house where the kids are.
"Uhmm...hey love. Is everything alright?" a little surprised Mthoko asks with a nerveous voice as he tidies up his desk. "Uhmm...no, nothing is wrong. I just...I just thought that we'd perhaps talk...you know...about what's been going on" a rather nervous Lindiwe says as she comes to sit down opposite her husband. "Oh uhmm...I thought...I didn't that..." Mthoko stutters as he is lost for words but Lindiwe quickly jumps in, "You thought I didn't care about what happens to you babe?" she asks. "Ofcourse I care about what happens to you okay? I love you and you are my husband...my family. What happens to you matters"
These words come as a relief fro Mthoko even though he is trying hard to hide it. He thinks for a second before saying, "Uhmm...I just...I was thinking that" He is struggling to find the right words, but his wife is just looking at him and waiting for her husband to calm himself down. She can see how he's struggling to even make a proper eye contact.
"Look, it's okay love. What's important now is how we move forward okay?" Lindiwe says but Mthoko quickly cuts in, "But it's not okay babe, okay?" he says with a low voice. "I should have been upfront with you from the beginning but I thought I was protecting you and the kids you know. I didn't want your lives to be in danger. But you had every right to know because we are partners and we are all in it together" he says as he finally makes a bold eye contact. "But I promise my love, his whole thing is almost over now and the we can go back to living our normal lives again"
That last part seems to be a bit confusing for Lindiwe as she raises an eyebrow, "What do you mean by that?" she asks as she leans forward. Mthoko thinks for a second before saying, "Uhmm...this week...the deal is happening and I have to put an end to it and bring these arm dealers down" as he looks into his wife's eyes for a reaction.
"What deal?" a confused Lindiwe asks curiously. "Uhmm...the deal baby. Remember I told the other night about these people who..." Mthoko says calmly but his wife quickly interjects, "No ofcourse I don't remember okay?" she says as she raises her voice a little bit. "That night, you dropped a bomb on me...I was shocked, angry and confused so how am I supposed to remember what you said to me huh?" she shouts but Mthoko doesn't want this conversation escalating to something else. He's happy that his wife finally came around so that they can talk about it.
"Okay my love please calm down okay, I beg you" Mthoko says calmly to which Lindiwe herself calms down a little bit. "Look, the people that Zikode and his friends are working for will be buying arms from someone high up in government and that deal will happen this coming Friday" he says as he goes to stand by the side table.
"Oh yeah, I remember now you saying something about that" Lindiwe says as she wipes her face as though she just woke up from sleep. "So you are the one who has to stop these people?" she asks with a worried face. Mthoko takes a huge sigh before saying, "Yes love...I have to stop them. Look I know that there's a lot I need to put you up to speed with and there's a lot that doesn't make sense right now baby" He suddenly looks very regretful as he says that. "But first thing first..." he says calmly. "Uhmm...Zikode and his friends were arrested" he says, much to his wife's shock. "What? When?" she asks curiously.
"Uhmm...the day I went to meet Zikode, on Thursday last week" Mthoko says as he looks up to the ceiling as though he is thinking about something. "But how come I didn't hear about any of this on the news?" Lindiwe asks curiously. "Oh yeah, about that...we are keeping this out of the media for now babe. Atleast until this whole operation is over. We are this close from putting an end to it all" Mthoko says with an assuring voice.
"Yeah well, look a lot still don't make sense about any of this babe, okay?" Lindiwe says with a worried voice as she takes Mthoko's hands. "I mean, I just still don't get why you agreed to work for these people and why you kept it from me" she says as she begins to look sad, which in turn makes Mthoko feel a little guilty. "Look baby, I know that a lot don't make sense right now but I promise you that once all of this is over I will explain everything to you okay?" Mthoko says as he gentle rubs his wife's hands to assure her. It seems like it's working as Lindiwe calms down a little bit.
She takes a sigh before asking, "So how do you plan on stopping these arms dealers? I mean babe, this is really dangerous okay? Have you forgotten that you have a family? A wife and kids?" as she looks worried all over again. "Can't someone else do this part? I mean, you have already got Zikode and his friends, right? Let someone else do this part please..."
Mthoko can't help but let out a little smile before saying, "It's my operation love, I have to do it" as he looks at his wife with eyes of love. "But I promise baby that this whole thing ends this Friday okay? Then we will go back to our normal lives...everything will be like before as a family my love, okay? I promise."
He goes over by the side table and pours himself and his wife a double of whiskey and bring it to the table. "So, exactly what do you mean about going back to our normal lives baby, huh?" Lindiwe asks as she takes the glass. "Does that mean you will stop working for these people?" She looks into her husband's eyes to see his reaction to this question. She really need this assurance from her husband. Mthoko thinks for a second and then takes a deep breathe. "Uhmm...look baby, this job has really put my family in danger and I will never allow that to happen again. So yes, after this baby...I'm done" he says with a smile which comes as a relief to his wife who comes over and hugs him.
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