***Johannesburg, South Africa***

Breaking News: “The xenophobic violence in Jo’burg helped fuel the current crisis of riots in South Africa.”

Thobela Newspaper Report: “The enemy is not foreigners, but the government’s failure to realise that, as citizens, we are being manipulated.”

Mphakathi Radio Report: “Up to 90% of the complaints received around the country concern racism – the commission will host a key conference to discuss it.”

South African Riots: “Looting and unrest leave 69 dead after crowds that were looting and setting shopping centres alight clashed with The Gorbin Law Enforcement Officers, who were deployed to aid the police in several cities on Tuesday.”

President Chris Dupe called the acts some of the most violent ever witnessed in South Africa since the 1990s, right before the end of apartheid.

“These Gorbin Law Enforcement Officers are not human,” one of the protesters said, shedding tears. “They kill us like animals, and they are merciless. We are fighting terminators. How can they beat us to death while we are on fire? We are only fighting to get our voices heard, and the deaths and looting are unfortunate events. This government is corrupt, together with its laws!”

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***Two weeks earlier***

The day was bright at Mkhize Industries: an organisation that specialised in medicine. It is known for its long contribution to South Africa’s health industry. It is a private company that works closely with the government, providing the country with the best solutions for its medical needs.

Six years prior, the company decided to partner up with Gorbin Industries, which assists it with the transportation of its medicine to the neighbouring countries and overseas.

With Mr Gorbin’s experience in the business industry, he did not take long to become the Vice President of Mkhize Industries, right below Mr Mkhize, who was about to retire in a few years. One day, Mr Gorbin entered into Mr Mkhize’s office.

“Sorry I am late, my last meeting took longer than I expected,” Mr Gorbin said.

“No problem, sit down,” Mr Mkhize responded.

“So, what is your view on the serum?” Mr Gorbin asked.

“Mr Gorbin, it is good, but rather than saving and bettering our country’s citizen’s lives, I think it will cause a destruction,” Mr Mkhize responded.

“I do not see the serum as a destruction at all,” Mr Gorbin said. “Look, Mr Mukhize, I do not see why you are thinking that way. No one on earth has ever created this. We are the first and only ones in Africa. It is a chance for us to lead the world in health science.”

“That is your problem, Mr Gorbin, you are all about competition and being the first one to ever create something,” Mr Mkhize responded. “I understand that that is how business works, but not in Medicine. We are all about saving lives and thinking about the future.”

“Look, we will create the first drug which gets rid of pain and emotions in the human body,” Mr Gorbin said. “It is like we have given ourselves freedom, a cure to our human weakness.”

“You do not see this,” Mr Mkhize responded. “Imagine a person who does not feel anything. A person who does not feel sympathy and does not love or care. He is a complete animal capable of doing anything. If you are able to chop off your limbs without feeling any pain, imagine your actions to others.”

“There is a war coming, so imagine this as a powerful weapon,” Mr Gorbin said. “We will dominate the whole world and become its ruler. Consider this: our army will be unstoppable. So will our police officers and firefighters. I mean, everyone, even children.”

“I do not know how you created this drug, but I believe it will all end here,” Mr Mkhize declared.

“You do not know how much hard work I put into this,” Mr Gorbin responded. “My late father invented this, and I put all my resources into fulfilling it. I just chose you to share the profits with, but why don’t you see the bright side?”

“First of all, you broke the law of the company by performing experiments without my awareness, and using innocent animals for experimentation,” Mr Mkhize said. “We are shutting down all your operations under Mkhize Industries.”

“You are making a big mistake, Mr Mukhize,” Mr Gorbin responded. “This is something both of us need in our lives. Besides, there are many other people who will gain interest on my invention.”

“You are not allowed to do that,” Mr Mkhize responded. “According to the contract we agreed to, what you create under this company’s name stays here. So when you leave, you have to leave the serum behind.”

Instead of responding, Mr Gorbin left the office and shut the door with force. Mr Mkhize then took in a deep breath and spun his chair around to look at the buildings behind him. He wondered if, perhaps, his partnership with Gorbin was a bad idea. However, he knew that despite his own reputation in the business world, he could not maintain the company’s function, and they almost went bankrupt, which was why they needed Gorbin’s help.

Tell us: What do you think about companies using animals to experiment with drugs?