Interrogation Room

Gideon sits on a chair while Commander and Sergeant stand up looking at him with hateful eyes. He wants to sell Gabriel out but not Zachariah and Sipho. He hopes what he will say will not also cause him to go to jail.

“What do you know?” Sergeant Mbazo asks.

“I know who does corruption,” Gideon answers.

“Who?” Commander asks.

He scratches his arm, he feels hot and nervous. Sergeant Mbazo looks at him as if he is prey he is planning to attack. He takes two breaths slowly.

“Officer Gabriel,” he speaks and looks down.

“What? Are you joking? Which Gabriel?” Commander hisses.

“There is one Gabriel. I can’t believe it,” Sergeant says.

There is a knock on the door. Detective Cobra and Samantha walk in. Gideon stands up, he can’t believe Samantha reported Gabriel. She hugs him.

“I had to do this,” she whispers in his ears.

“You deserve justice,” Sergeant Mbazo pats her back.

“You can go, we’re going to call Gabriel,” Commander says.

Detective walks back to the hall and calls Gabriel. He stands up, thinking it’s his chance to run but Detective Cobra corners him. He meets Gideon who smiles while returning back to the hall. Samantha and Commander are in the room where you can view the interrogation room without being seen.

“Is this him?” he asks.

Samantha nods and Commander goes back to the interrogation room. He whispers in Sergeant’s ear.

“You are under arrest,” he speaks.

“Remove your badge and gun,” Commander shouts.

“Sir, I wasn’t alone,” Gabriel cries out.

He removes the badges and the gun and gives the commander. He murmurs but no one wants to hear what he wants to say. Zachariah lays his head low, thinking Gabriel will say out their names. Detective Cobra cuffs his hands and leads him out of the hall. Zachariah looks at Gideon and Sipho, thinking he will find answers in their eyes. Commander releases everyone. They walk out making noise.

“I can’t believe Gabriel did this,” Mandoza says.

“He wasn’t alone. Remember those prostitutes who wanted to tell us something during our patrol?” Dave said looking around.

“What did they say?” Mandoza asks concerned.

Gideon walks past them and they are quite. He walks far then Mandoza watches Zachariah coming and pinches Dave’s hand. Sipho follows and eyes them suspiciously because he knows how Mandoza gossips.

“He wasn’t alone. There are four of them,” Dave whispers.

Zachariah, Sipho and Gideon meet before their night patrol. Gideon assures them that he won’t sell them out but he promises this only if they stop bribery and stealing, as well as raping prostitutes. They raid Gabriel’s room and find the cash. They share it among the three of them.

Gabriel goes to prison for 17 years. Sipho and his Gideon don’t take bribes anymore. Zachariah is given a new partner, Mandoza. The three of them remain friends but Mandoza can’t fit in because of his suspicions about the crew.

Gideon marries Samantha a year after Gabriel is sentenced.

***

Tell us: What do you think the punishment or sentencing should be for corrupt police officers?