MANDLA MTHETHWA
"I need a bail hearing application approved, I need a date as in yesterday."
"You know that your client might be denied bail right?"
"I know that, but that doesn't I should let Nqaba sit in cell without me trying. I am grasping at straws with this case. His wife Milani did a banger job of setting him up for this." I am annoyed by this man's ignorance, thinking that everyone who gets arrested is guilty.
"Fine, I hear you. There is an opening tomorrow, I slot you in." He says with a smile. "Thank you."
I walk away. I have to let Nqaba know. I also need to talk to Detective Mbhele about surveillance footage at of the house. Milani is not stupid though, I am sure she has found a way to make sure that there is no footage and that is going to make this case worse for Nqaba. What does Milani really want from Nqaba? It's not she hasn't put the man through hell already. She is taking a wonderful father from a son that needs him.
I need to find out what this woman is up to and it will take time. The way things are going Nqaba is going is going to be in jail in no time. There's the matter of Mnqobi. She wouldn't sleep with him if she was not getting something out of it.
What did she gain from shattering Nqaba? I felt the weight of that question as I paced the small office, tapping my fingers on the desk in frustration. Milani is crafty, has always been. But what could she possibly derive from this chaos? It was obvious that she had no qualms about weaponizing Nqaba's love for his son, twisting it into leverage against him. I had seen her pull strings before, seducing people into her plans with promises and threats alike. My gut told me there was more to this—a favor owed, a debt unpaid. Mnqobi?
I pulled out my phone, scrolling through old photos that captured happier moments before the darkness descended. There had to be clues embedded in her past, whispers of Milani's ambitions. I needed to connect the dots, unravel the storyline she was weaving. If I could pin down her motives, maybe I could launch a solid counter-attack. My thoughts shifted to Mnqobi again—had she maneuvered him into her machinations as well? Or was he simply a pawn in a larger game, unaware of the forces at play?
With renewed determination, I jotted down notes about possible contacts who might shed light on Milani's dealings. There had to be someone—an informant, an ex-employee who had walked away from her toxic influence. They would have seen the cracks in her veneer. I need to talk to her boss as as well. How did she get that promotion five years ago? The clock was ticking, and if I didn't act swiftly, Nqaba would remain trapped while Milani executed her plans undeterred.
As I slipped on my jacket, a chill ran down my spine. This fight was about to get dirty. I could feel it in the air, a storm brewing that had the potential to wash away everything Milani grasped. There would be no room for complacency moving forward—one wrong step, and I could wind up as much a victim as Nqaba. Still, the thought that Milani could think she had me cornered only fueled my fire. I know she has made sure that we lose the first round and we will no doubt. Nqaba will be found guilty,he will be sentenced, she made sure of that. What she doesn't know is that I am not going to let that man spend five years or more in prison. I am going to fight for him starting with the bail hearing tomorrow. The way the evidence is piled up on him, it is going to take time to get to the truth but we are definitely going to find the truth.
***
I pull up at the police station and immediately I bump into Detective Mbhele who escorts me to interrogation room, walks out again and comes back with a docket which I assume is Nqaba's docket. He sits across from me. Court was grueling earlier. We were denied bail because he is a flight risk. Even when we suggested the that his passport can be confiscated but that did nothing, the prosecution wouldn't hear it. "I got the surveillance footage and there is nothing. Apparently the whole system was down that day for maintenance. I asked Mr Cele about it and he told me that they were only scheduled for maintenance only two months time. We checked with the security company and they confirmed what Mr Cele told us." I am baffled. First piece to prove that this was a set up. We still have the overwhelming evidence against him. I also know with the evidence we have the prosecution will push for an early court date. Advocate Ndlela is not one to be played with but he is also a dirty lawyer but no one has been able to prove it. I haven't had just cause to investigate him. This is my first time going against him. "The DNA results are also back. The DNA found in Mr Khumalo and Mrs Cele is a match to his. This case is for the prosecution unless you have something else I can work with. The surveillance footage is a crack, but it's a small crack it won't keep him from being convicted. The DNA match seals the case for the prosecution." He tells me something I already know. "It doesn't help that the prosecutor is not the cleanest but we can't prove he was paid to make sure your client goes to prison. "Can this man stop being right about everything he is say now. I get up from my chair because it feels like it's burning. I pace up and down trying to think. There is no loop hole here. There is nothing big enough to keep out of prison.
"Look Mr Mthethwa, I'm not here to choose sides. I am here to make sure that the right person goes to prison and the moment your client is that right person. There is nothing that gives me more reason to investigate the case further. We have a dead body with DNA and knife with his finger prints on. We have battered wife with his DNA as well. Give me something to work with here. The only thing I can suggest to you now…" he stays quiet for a minute as if he is contemplating something. He looks like as if trying to make sure that what he is about to say cannot be heard by anyone else. "Is that I'll keep working the case, even he gets convicted which is mostly like to happen, I'll work the case. I don't know why I'm doing it because this is a open and shut case. Now I am going to need you to tell me everything about him, her and the marriage. No one can know about anything that we are doing or what we find. The fact Ndlela is the leading prosecutor in this case, I already know who the judge is going to be. It is safe to say that the case is rigged."
Just as we were talking my buzzed, it was a text from my PA, the trial date is set for next week. "What?" I exclaim. This can't be happening. So quick. "What's wrong?" He asks looking puzzled.
"The trial date is next week. This guy means business." I tell him. He doesn't look surprised, it's as if he was expecting this. "I knew it was going to happen. That doesn't give us enough time to work this case. Prepare for trial, I'll continue digging. I'll bring him in so that you can break the news to him." He says getting up to leave. "Before you leave detective, I need to arrange for his parents to visit him."
"No problem. That can be arranged." He walks out looking defeated but doing a good job of hiding it.
"Make sure to check the visitation rules carefully before they come," Detective Mbhele replies, his tone suggesting he knows how crucial this is for Nqaba. I feel a pang of guilt, knowing that while I am here fighting tirelessly for him, there are so many personal elements at play—his family, his name, his future. The weight of the world rests heavily on his shoulders, and I must do everything in my power to lift some of it.
He comes back with Nqaba and leaves. I look at Nqaba and this is not the man I know. This is shell of what used to be him. He looks tired and out of it. He has bags under his eyes. You can see that stress is weighing him down. "I am sorry for all this. The trial date is set for next week. That doesn't give us enough time to work this case." He doesn't look shocked, he just nods as if he has accepted his fate.
"How is Lwandle, does he know?" He asks. "Your son is fine. Your parents had to tell him before he could find out anywhere else. I am also keeping this case out of the media but the person prosecuting the case that is going to be difficult. "He raises an eyebrow, "Who is the prosecutor?" I look at long before I can even answer. "Advocate Ndlela."
"What? Are you being serious right now. Then I am definitely screwed. Is he going for First Degree Murder as a charge?" He asks and you can't miss the exhaustion in his voice. "No, the charge is Manslaughter. We'll also push for a lighter sentence and parole on good behavior."
"Mandla I didn't do this. What does my wife want from, what is that Milani stands to gain with me out of the picture. She has buried alive man. I know this is her. There is no one else that I can think of that can do this to me. She did this on purpose. You need find out why she did this because I cannot spend ten years in prison. My son cannot grow up without me. You also need to make sure that she doesn't get Lwandle. Lwandle must remain with my parents." His voice breaks but he tries to be strong. "You don't have to worry about Lwandle. He is going to fine with your parents." He nods looking relieved at that confirmation. "I am going to arrange a visit with your parents and maybe they can bring Lwandle with them. It will be before the trial. I am meeting your parents later today to discuss the case with them so that they know what to expect." He smiles, but his smile is tired.
***
I head to my office, staring at the wall filled with case documents, feeling somewhat like I'm assembling a puzzle with too many missing pieces. The brief moments of solace I get playing through potential arguments in my mind are interrupted by the grim reality of the trial being just around the corner. The mere thought sends chills down my spine. I'm reminded of other cases I have fought hard and won, but this one feels different. This one feels like it's ushering in a storm.
After an hour of brainstorming with my assistant, I decide to run through Nqaba's background one more time; perhaps there's something I missed. I pull up his file and scan through his childhood, looking for any hidden connections that might offer a glimmer of hope. A childhood friend? A former partner? Something that leads to a possible alternative narrative. Sweat beads at my temple as I dig deeper into his past, revealing bits about his father's struggling business and the relationship with his mother— a love that feels suffocating yet familiar. I also couldn't find anything out of place with Milani's background as well. There was nothing amiss but I can't shake the feeling that something is there.
My phone buzzes again—it's a text from my PA, reminding me about the meeting with Nqaba's parents later today. As I prepare for that, I can't shake off the feeling of time slipping away. I need leverage, anything I can use to convince the judge of Nqaba's innocence. This is not a case of being at right place at the wrong time. This was very well orchestrated and proving that it was, is proving to be impossible.
"Maybe it's time to look at Ndlela's cases," I muse to myself as I jot down notes to follow up with some connections about the prosecutor. His past can also become our advantage; lawyers aren't purely ethical beings, and a whisper of misconduct can be more powerful than a strong alibi. The games are heating up, and I need every possible angle if I am going to turn the narrative on its head.
With the urgency of the situation clawing at my insides, I gather my things and rush to the Cele residence and I am welcomed warmly by his parents. His father and I take a seat in the lounge while his mother gets something to drink for us. She comes back quickly and sets everything on the coffee table. "How is he?" His mother asks. "He is fine ma. He is hanging in there. He is fighting. I have to be honest with you. This case is tough one. With the evidence that they have against me, we are going to lose. I don't want you to hold breath hoping he'll come home. That does not mean I have given up on him. Even if we lose next week, we are continue to fight to get him out. The set up is rock solid. They made sure of it." I don't want to scare them but they have to know what the reality of this. "You also be able to visit him next week as well before the trial. He needs to see you, he needs to see Lwandle. He needs to know that you are there for him and that you believe him."
I watch as his mother's expression shifts from concern to determination. "We won't stop believing in our son," she states firmly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Her strength inspires a flicker of hope within me, but the weight of reality presses heavily on my shoulders. "I appreciate your honesty," his father adds, leaning forward, "but what can we do? We need to help him."
"There are a few routes we can explore," I reply, my mind racing through the strategies we might employ. "First, I'll need your help in gathering more information regarding Milani's network. If she is truly behind this, then we need to understand her motives and connections. Any leads you have—even the smallest details—could prove invaluable." They both nod, determined.
As we delve deeper into discussions about Nqaba's past, his mother surprises me with a name. "There was a man from our neighborhood, Malusi. He and Nqaba played together as boys. I've heard whispers he's involved in something shady now." My heart races as I scribble down the name; this could be the connection I've been looking for. "Malusi," I repeat, "I'll follow up on this lead. Thank you."
As the meeting progresses, I can feel a renewed sense of purpose bubbling within me. Their resilience fuels my fight, and I realize that I am not just defending Nqaba; I am defending his family's hope. We finish up, and as I stand to leave, I promise them, "I will do everything in my power to get to the truth."
Driving back to my office, I can feel the weight of their faith in me. I need to act now. Time isn't just slipping away; it's a thief that robs not only Nqaba's future, but his family's too. I pull out my phone and begin contacting trusted investigators who can dig into Malusi's life. Each call I make is filled with the urgency of saving an innocent man from a fabricated destiny.
Every second counts, and for Nqaba, for his parents, I have to outpace the looming storm. This fight is more than just legal talk; it's a battle for love, family, and ultimately, for justice.