(During a brief recess.)

Nkosi: I am sorry, man, I didn’t see that coming. They really planned this whole thing.

Manqoba: (Approaching Nkosi and Nkosana) Ai Ndoda,
zikhapha ni kanti manje (no man, what’s going on now)? We can’t lose this case, we really can’t!

Nkosana: Where is my wife, Manqoba?

Manqoba: I am so sorry, brother, I found her unconscious at her home this morning. She’s in the hospital now, she couldn’t be here.

Nkosana: (Shedding tears) Nkosi, thank you for trying, it is not your fault. Manqoba, I should have listened to my heart about this girl.

Manqoba: (Crying) No dude, you can’t give up now, you need to fight! If not for Alicia, then for me, please.

Nkosana: (Forcing a smile) Tell her that I love her, take good care of her man, she has you now.

(People are still chanting as they all come back in to hear the judge’s verdict.)

Judge: After hearing all the evidence from the state and the defence, I have arrived at my verdict. Mr Nkosana, this was not an easy case as the accuser was your loved one, but the state was able to prove that you committed a crime of rape and also assaulted the accuser. You had no right to force yourself on the accuser. Rape is a very serious offence. I therefore find you guilty of rape and assault. I sentence you to five years for assault and ten years for rape, with two sentences running concurrently: 15 years in prison. The court is adjourned!

(Nkosana looks around for the last time as he is being escorted back to his cell. He looks at Manqoba who sheds a tear.)

 ***

Tell us: What do you think about the verdict?