“Boi, let’s go and look for those girls now. Otherwise they will spend all the money,” Lethabo said.

“You’re right, bra. Let’s go now.”

The two boys drove around the township looking for Tshidiso and Leticia, without success. They went to all the taverns, except the one where Zulu was waiting, and still they found nothing.

“My friend, we don’t have a choice now. We have to go there. Maybe the girls are there,” said Lethabo.

“What! No way, Lethabo!” Boitumelo shouted. “What if Zulu is still waiting there and the girls are not? He will kill me, man!”

“Let’s just try, bra. Otherwise –” Lethabo was interrupted by his cell phone ringing. “Oh my God!” he said.

“What?”

“It’s him. Where did he get my number?”

Lethabo’s heart pounded with fear. He couldn’t decide whether to answer the phone or ignore it. Finally, he answered, with a shaky voice. “Hello.”

“Ja! Tell your friend I want my money. I’m at your home with your helpless Magriza, sonny. She gave me your number when I put a gun to her head. You don’t want anything bad to happen to her, right?”

“No, Groot Man. Please don’t hurt Koko hle monna,” he pleaded.

“Then tell me where you are. I want my zak vandag and I’ll get it. All of it! If not, either your grandmother or your stupid friend will pay with his life. Ke ya go chaela, sonny. I’m telling you.”

Lethabo shook like a newly-hatched chicken. “I’m begging you, Groot Man. Just give us a few minutes. We will pay you your money. I promise hle monna!”

“You’d better … Otherwise there will be big price to pay, boy. Tell your friend that. Mxm! Stupid fools!”

The call ended.

“Hee monna … Start the car. We must go to that tavern. That man is at my home. I can’t let him hurt Koko. Not for some stupid money. No way. Let’s go. Now!”

Boitumelo turned the key and the car roared off. When they arrived at the tavern, Boitumelo was reluctant to enter, but Lethabo reminded him that Zulu had called them from his home.

There were still a lot of people in there, celebrating the first day of the year. Boitumelo and Lethabo scanned the crowd. In a corner they spotted two girls chatting and laughing with two young men. Could it be them? No? Yes! My God! It was Tshidiso and Leticia.

Boitumelo felt his guts twisting when he saw one of the men putting his arm around Tshidiso’s shoulders and kissing her cheek. He marched over towards them.

“Bitch! Give me my money! You stole it from my house!” he fumed. “Where is my money?”

The two young men stared at Boitumelo. Leticia covered her face with her hands.

“Where is my money, wena man!” Boitumelo continued, his glowing eyes fixed on Tshidiso.

Tshidiso pulled at her nose and opened her mouth, “What! Who are you?”

“Argh! Stop wasting our time and give us back the money, motho,” said Lethabo as he stepped forward and pointed his finger right in front of Tshidiso’s face.

One of the men, the shorter, broad-shouldered one, stood up and walked towards them.

“Guys,” the man said, with his hand in his trouser pocket. “I think you should stop harassing my girlfriend now.”

Boitumelo glared at him. “Your girlfriend?” he asked, pointing at Tshidiso.

“Ja! Is there a problem?” the man answered with a stern face, pulling a knife from his pocket.

“No, no, no,” said Lethabo, jumping between Boitumelo and the young man. “We don’t want to fight, bra. We just want these girls to give us our money. That’s all.”

The young man turned towards Tshidiso. “Babe, do you have these guys’ money?”

“No, babe. I don’t even know who these people are. I swear. You can ask Leticia.” Tears shone in her big eyes.

Boitumelo shook his head in disbelief. Then he felt his legs weaken. A man had entered the tavern with a gun in his hand. Two tall guys followed him, their eyes glued to Boitumelo. Boitumelo recognised one of them. It was Zane, the young tsotsi feared by almost everyone in the township.

“That’s the moegoe, Bra Zulu. He is the one we saw on camera. The fool who stole your money,” said Zane, pointing at Boitumelo.

They all charged towards him.

“Yes bari ke wena!” Zulu started, grabbing Boitumelo’s throat. “Where is my chankura, wena man?” He tightened his grip, glaring at Boitumelo, who was struggling to breathe.

People started backing away from them. Tshidiso and her group sneaked out of the tavern.

Boitumelo tried to speak but could not. Zulu had shut his throat with his fingers. He begged for mercy with his hands. Zulu pushed him back and he staggered and fell on the floor.

The sound of a gunshot filled the air. People started running away. Some jumped over the big wall around the tavern, while others pushed and shoved their way out of the entrance.

“Joo!” Boitumelo cried as a bullet burnt his right foot. “Please don’t kill me. Please!”

Lethabo dashed forward and knelt in front of Zulu. “Please! Don’t kill him. I know where the money is … I’ll go and fetch it. Please! I’m begging you, Groot Man!”

Bra Zulu pointed a gun at Lethabo’s face. “Your time is up! I want my money now or you are dead! Both of you.”

“Please, Groot Man. I’m begging you. I’ll fetch it. All of it! I promise.”

Bra Zulu paused for a second. His eyes swept from Lethabo to the moaning Boitumelo on the floor. “OK! I give you thirty minutes. Just thirty minutes! And you must go with Zane.”

Tell us: Do you think Lethabo should go to the cops?