Seshego Police Station

Everyone is busy at the reception. Gideon walks in the corridor to join others in the hall. A few come in to report crimes at the station. The commander has announced that every police officer to be in the hall. Gideon walks looking at Gabriel who is flirting with Officer Cindy.

The hall is furnished with chairs and desks in rows which can be counted to twenty. The police officers are not more than 15. A large board is in front of the rows.

As they wait, the police are busy mumbling. Gabriel sits behind Gideon and Zachariah and Sipho join him in the same row. The commander enters and all of the police stand up looking high towards the front. They salute him and sit down.

“Good morning to you all. Sorry for the short notice. There is a bit of corruption happening in our police department. We are meant to protect people and property. Our duty is to keep the peace and enforce the law. I want each one of you to report if anyone is doing corruption in our force,” he speaks with diligence.

Gideon looks at Gabriel with a scornful eye. Gabriel looks down. Two detectives enter with some Sergeants. They stand with commander. Sergeant Mbazo whispers something to the commander. The police officers are looking at each other, some are talking silently.

“Silence! Silence,” Sergeant Mbazo shouts.

The police officers are quiet at once. Commander Gerald walks towards the desks and takes a deep breath.

“We are investigating you. Some woman reported a rape case against one of you,” he speaks calmly.

Gabriel lowers his head and Gideon smiles. Zachariah and Sipho look at the other scared.

“If you know about this rape come forward then we won’t waste time investigating,” Sergeant says patiently.

Zachariah faces Gideon who is busy trembling. He shakes his head slightly. Sipho and Gabriel look down. The detectives start to pace up and down. Sergeant and Commander remain in the front. Zachariah tries to push Gabriel with his shoulder but he doesn’t look up. Zachariah can see that Gideon will sell them out. Gideon stands up, everyone looks at him.

Gabriel sees it’s the end of them. He tries to stand but Zachariah pulls him without being seen.

“Gideon, let’s go. Everyone remain in here,” Sergeant orders.

Commander and Sergeant Mbazo walk with Gideon to the interrogation room. Gabriel starts whispering.

“He is going to sell us out.”

“We are dead.”

Zachariah watches the detectives pacing around them. They look down, except those who aren’t in the crew. They are quiet except those who don’t know what will happen. Gabriel stands up and walks to get out of the row. He thinks if he gets out he can run far and no one will ever see him again.

“You heard the Sergeant, no one is leaving,” Detective Faro says.

“I want to use the bathroom,” he says quietly.

“You have to wait. Let’s wait for Commander’s final decision,” he says loudly.

Gabriel remains standing, thinking they will take pity on him. Detective Cobra walks towards Gabriel and shoves him to go and sit. Detective Faro is not rude but patient but Detective Cobra is the worst man who gyms every day to keep in shape. Everyone knows that when he integrates you, you will spill all the beans. Gabriel sits down with a rush of adrenaline in his body. Detective Cobra goes out and slams the door.

***

Tell us: Do you think the corrupts crew will snitch on each other to reduce their sentences?