Sphelele gains confidence after dealing with Mzwa’s attempt at extorting him. He counts the money he has made and sends a part of it to Dennis so he can get him off his back for a while.

Sphelele spends hours at the Department of Law library, studying cases. He learns about immunity for informants and state witnesses. He gains more knowledge about the power of negotiation.

He thinks for days and comes to the conclusion that he will never be truly free from Dennis unless he turns him in. He knows that he is risking his life because Dennis is a killer. It is a hard decision because Dennis has raised him with the same money he received from doing crimes.

“But if I don’t turn him in it is inevitable that I will eventually get arrested. I have to think about my own survival now. I want a bright, stress-free, clean future,” he whispers to himself.

Even though he knows what he needs to do, it is hard to actually do it. He stalls for a day but finally makes his way to the offices of the Johannesburg SAPS Organised Crime Division.

“I’d like to speak to a detective,” he tells the officer at reception.

“What is it in connection with?” says the officer.

“It’s about a major crime network that is operating between KZN and Gauteng,” says Sphelele.

“Okay. Take a seat.”

Ten minutes later a detective leads Sphelele into his office.

“I am Detective Mlaba. What can I do for you?”

“My name is Sphelele. I have information about a major crime network operating between KZN and Gauteng. But before I give you any information I want you to promise me complete immunity,” says Sphelele.

“I can’t promise you anything until you give me the information,” says Detective Mlaba.

“Detective Mlaba, believe me when I say I have all the information you will need to make an arrest. I have information on murder, extortion and drug dealing. But before that I need you to promise me immunity from prosecution.”

“Tell me what you have and I will talk to my superior.”

Sphelele draws in a long breath and exhales. He takes out a brick of cocaine from his backpack and lays it on Detective Mlaba’s table. Detective Mlaba’s eyes grow large with shock.

“I can give you the man who supplies this cocaine. He is also a hitman for the taxi industry. I have seen him murder people and beat people to a pulp.”

Detective Mlaba takes out his notebook and scribbles all the facts as Sphelele tells him everything. He stays in the office for hours telling Detective Mlaba about the many crimes he has witnessed Dennis commit.

Detective Mlaba brings in other members of his team. They go out of the office and return with dockets for unsolved murder cases. Most of the cases are murders of taxi owners. Sphelele links Dennis to six murders.

“On all of them I was driving the car. Dennis would tell me to keep the engine running. He went into the house, I heard gunshots and he came out and we left.”

“We still have to discuss this as a team, but from what you have told us, I can safely say you will get immunity,” says Detective Mlaba.

“Thank you,” says Sphelele, tears falling from his eyes.

“Now we have to get you into the witness protection programme because there will be a price on your head as soon as we arrest Dennis. The taxi owners will want you dead because they know Dennis himself may give them up. Dennis himself will have to be kept in isolation.”

“It’s fine, as long as he is stopped,” says Sphelele. “Another thing … I’m worried about is his wife, my adoptive mother.”

“She will also have to get into the witness protection programme,” says Detective Mlaba.

“Thank you,” says Sphelele.

A sting operation is set up. Sphelele calls Dennis, asking for more cocaine. When Dennis arrives, he is arrested and charged with the six murders, extortion and drug dealing.

Before Sphelele disappears into the witness protection programme he asks to call MaSkhakhane.

“Sphelele! Has your father arrived?”

“Yes, Ma, he arrived,” says Sphelele.

“You sound down, my boy. What is wrong?”

“Mama, please know that I love you very much. I want you to know that. I need you to remember that every time you think about me. Mama, I want to thank you for giving me love after I was denied love at birth by my biological mother. Thank you, Mama.” Sphelele weeps.

“Please don’t cry, Sphelele. Please don’t speak like that. What is the matter? What is wrong, my boy?”

“Before I tell you, I want you to know that I did what I did because I was thinking of your safety,” says Sphelele.

“Oh Sphelele. Tell me what happened,” MaSkhakhane cries.

“I told the police, Ma. I told them about Baba. I told them everything. The murders, the extortion and the drugs. He has been arrested and they are coming to you now to take you into the witness protection programme. They will take you somewhere safe where you will start a new life away from Dennis and that place. I watched him kill people. The drugs I’m selling for him have killed a student!”

“Sphelele!” MaSkhakhane weeps.

“I love you, Ma. Goodbye,” Sphelele ends the call.

MaSkhakhane is left holding her cellphone. She’s still weeping when an unmarked police car enters her yard. She packs her belongings, gets into the car and disappears into the anonymity of the witness protection programme.

Sphelele gets full immunity from prosecution for his testimony. Dennis gets six life terms plus fourteen years for his other crimes, a total of 164 years in jail.

Sphelele lives under a fake name in a quiet small town in the Free State. He has a vegetable garden and sells the veggies to local people. He also helps high school students with their studies in his free time. One day, he gets a call from a police officer.

“Someone wants to speak to you,” says the officer.

“Hello, Sphelele my boy,” says MaSkhakhane.

“Hello, Ma! How are you?” Sphelele cries.

“Everything is fine except for my heart. I feel empty without you. Can you ask these people to have us living together? I don’t mind where we live, as long as we are together.”

“I’d like that, Ma. I’m sorry about giving up Baba,” Sphelele sniffles.

“I forgive you, my boy. It showed you still have a conscience.”

A month later Sphelele and MaSkhakhane are reunited. They both live under fake names in the quiet small town in the Free State, far from the crime that almost destroyed their lives.

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