THE DEATH PENALTY

(Written By: Trigga Mphufane)

CHAPTER ONE

I am sitting at this room surrounded by people that claim to be the justice league and I am looking at my
one & only son through this thick window wondering if he could see me too. He is tied on a chair
helplessly so with tears just running down his cheeks. He is looking like he has already accepted his fate.
Even when I’m sitting meters away I can see his last tear slowly dropping as one of the police officers
signals the other one by pointing at his wrist watch, simply saying that: “IT IS TIME”. He starts shaking &
looks around but there is no one to help , even I, his own mother cannot help him. I know for sure that
my son is innocent, I know my son didn’t do what they said he did but I cannot do anything about it. All I
can do is sit here & watch my son get electrocuted & die right before my eyes.

I don’t know how I should tell this one. I don’t know if I should start at the beginning or end. I am just
too weak & numb right now but I’ll tell it anyway because I feel like I have to. This is my story.

My name Rosaline and I’m 42 years old turning 43 in a couple of months. I lived with my 22 year old son
Anele in my parents house that tragically died about 20 years ago. It was just the two of us in this house.
My son was the best thing I ever got blessed with. I got on my knees every single day & thanked God for
blessing me with such a very beautiful, humble & respectful son. I honestly couldn’t have asked for a
better gift. I bet you are wondering who & where his father is. Well I don’t know who his father is either.
Out of all the six men I just don’t know who his father is. I know you probably think that I am a whore or
something but I just don’t care what people think of me anymore. My son & I never spoke about his
father because I also don’t have the answers & I know the truth will hurt him so every time he asked
about his father I just told him to forget about him then quickly changed or dismissed the subject. I
always made sure my son was happy at all times. He was the only thing I had in this world , my only best
friend. We did things that not many mother & son did. We went to watch soccer matches together,
accompanied him to his performances since he was a musician, lol and we also gossiped a lot. We never
forgot to praise the lord. We went to church every Sunday no matter the weather. We prayed every
night before going to sleep. We prayed in everything that we did. We feared God more than anything in
this world. There was absolutely no one that could come between us. We had an amazing relationship.
He would talk to me about anything & everything even the things that were too personal he would trust
me. Like I said, we were best friends. He had a very good taste in women. He would introduce me to his
girlfriends every time he got into a new relationship so there was no girlfriend of his that I didn’t know
but there was this one in particular that I didn’t like from the first time I laid eyes on her. My gut just
jumped & whispered in my ear that there was something off about that girl and I know my gut is never
wrong. Her name was Palesa , she lived in our township. My son introduced Palesa to me & he seemed
very happy. Out of all his girlfriends that he ever introduced me to there was none that made him happy
like Palesa did. His happiness made me happy so I had to pretend to like the girl just to see my son
happy. He went to the shop to buy a soft drink leaving me with Palesa. I looked her deep in the eye and
told her that if she ever hurts my son in anyway she was going to deal with me then I laughed and she
laughed as well probably thinking that I was joking but I NEVER joke when it comes to my son. I didn’t
like seeing my son hurt because it hurt me too. His happiness was my happiness and his pain was mine
as well. I could’ve done anything to protect my son from anything, that’s what mothers do right? Protect
their children? I also made sure that I protected him from the serial killer that had attacked our
township. Yeah our township was a very scary & unsafe place. There was absolutely no one that was
safe. I had to make sure that my son was always safe. Every week there was a body found with a rose on
top of it. The serial killed all the people in the same style. He killed them in execution style that they
used in jails for Death Penalty. He was even named “THE DEATH PENALTY KILLER". He tormented our
township. No one was in the streets after dark because they were scared of the serial killer. I always
made sure that my son was also in the house after dark. The police couldn’t find & catch the serial killer.
They tried their best to catch the serial killer but he was just too good. Our township was always on the
news because of this serial killer. Anyway back to my son’s story. Anele & Palesa dated for more than
two years and it seemed like I was wrong about the girl because he knew how to make my son happy. I
started to like her even though I still had a feeling that she was off but I tried fighting that feeling & my
gut and trust that girl because there was no other girl that had ever made my son that happy. He was
very happy throughout until this one night that I’ll never ever forget. It was late at around 10pm and it
was raining. My son had told me that he was going to sleep over at Palesa's house. I was sitting on a
chair reading my bible when I heard a hard knock on the door. I rushed to open and it was my son, he
wasn’t in the right state of mind. I had never seen my son in that state before. He was very scared ,
shaking & frustrated. I became frustrated as well. I tried asking him what is it that was wrong but words
just couldn’t come out. He was stuttering & crying. I hugged him very long & tight then asked him again
what was wrong & when he was about to speak there was another hard knock on the door. When I
opened it was the police and they were looking for my son. Without me saying any word they let
themselves in when they saw my son. They went straight to my son , handcuffed him and said “YOU ARE
UNDER ARREST FOR RAPE AND ALSO IN SUSPICION OF BEING ‘THE DEATH SENTENCE SERIAL KILLER’.
The words just echoed in my ear as I looked at the policeman with disbelief and said “PLEASE REPEAT
WHAT YOU JUST SAID”. The police officer turned back, looked deep into my eye & said “MAMA, KERE
WE ARE PLACING THIS MAN UNDER ARREST FOR RAPE & WE ALSO BELIEVE THAT HE COULD BE THE
DEATH PENALTY SERIAL KILLER THAT WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR.”

I turned & looked at my son as a tear slowly ran down my left cheek. He looked back at me and that’s
when I asked with a very low voice: “O DIRILENG NGWANAKA? HUH WHAT HAVE YOU DONE ANELE?” . I
knew my son like I knew myself , I knew when he was telling the truth and when he was not. I believed
every word he uttered when he said “I DIDN’T DO ANYTHING MAMA" as the police dragged him out the
house & to the back of the van. He kept yelling “I DIDN’T DO ANYTHING MOM. NOTHING AT ALL.” I had
to watch him getting dragged like a notorious criminal that I knew very well he wasn’t. The police officer
aggressively pushed him into the back of the van, he stuck out his head & screamed: “MAMA PALESA O
BOLETSE MAAKA (mom palesa lied) , I DIDN’T TOUCH HER”. The officer swore at him as he pushed his
head back in & closed the door. I couldn’t believe it. It was his girlfriend that had him arrested. I rushed
back inside the house, grabbed my phone near the TV & dialled Palesa's numbers.. *ringing*
CHAPTER TWO

The phone rang with no response , I dialled the numbers again but it took me straight to voicemail. She
had blocked my numbers & that frustrated me more that I even started shaking. I knew damn well that
my son wouldn’t have done that , I just needed answers. I just couldn’t bare the thought of my son
behind those rusty bars , my one & only son. My heart started beating really fast because of
overthinking, I thought I was just having a panic attack. I tried going to the zink to get a glass of water
that would calm me down but I didn’t even make it to the zink , I just blacked out. I woke up with a
bandage around my forehead. I didn’t even know where I was. When I clearly opened my eyes I realized
that I am lying on a hospital bed. I was convinced that everything that happened was just a very bad
dream but my son wasn’t next to me. I know I would’ve woken up with him next to my side waiting for
me to wake up so he can remind me how much he loves me but he wasn’t there. He was somewhere in
the holding cells & I was there lying on a hospital bed. My life had just took a very horrible turn. My life
had just changed for the worst overnight. I tried positioning myself well on the bed but my whole body
was stiff , I guess I fell & hit the floor really hard. A nurse came in to help me so I can sit upright. She
even had medication & food for me. She let me eat & take my medication then came with this file
written my name on it. She sat next to me , took out her glasses & paged through the file. She paused,
held my hand & said “MAMA RE LEBOGA MODIMO GE O KGONNE GO TSOGA. YOU ARE A FIGHTER. YOU
HAVE BEEN ON A COMA FOR THREE NIGHTS SINCE YOUR ADMISSION. YOU HAD A SEVERE HEART
ATTACK.” . My heart skipped a beat when she mentioned the word “Heart Attack" . I never thought it
was serious, I thought I had just fainted. On a coma? For three nights? I guess the heart attack was really
severe. I just stood there without saying a word. I was just listening to the Nurse going on & on about
my health but wasn’t hearing a thing because there was a lot on my mind. It was a lot for me to handle.
Just when I thought I was having a bad day , the voice of a news presenter on TV caught my attention.
She was talking about my son, Anele. My attention completely shifted from the nurse to the TV screen
caged on the wall. I still remember every word the news presenter said, her words were “ANELE
MTHEMBU, A YOUNG MAN THAT HAS BEEN ACCUSED OF RAPE & ASSAULT BY HIS GIRLFRIEND PALESA
MASHILO WILL APPEAR IN COURT THIS FRIDAY. THE MOST TALKED ABOUT TRIAL WILL FINALLY TAKE
PLACE IN TWO DAYS TIME, THIS YOUNG MAN IS ALSO SUSPECTED TO BE THE NOTORIOUS DEATH
PENALTY SERIAL KILLER BUT THOSE ARE JUST SPECULATIONS & ALLEGATIONS. IS HE GOING TO WALK
OUT AS A FREE MAN? LET’S FIND OUT FRIDAY”. I just froze & tried containing my emotions but just
couldn’t , I sat there helplessly as tears ran down my cheeks. The nurse also froze & stopped talking. She
looked at the TV then back at me. She didn’t know what’s going on but she knew very well that what I
just saw or heard on TV hurt me very deep. She quickly turned off the TV & put the remote in her side
pocket. She brought me a glass of water & told me that my heart doesn’t need any more pressure and I
should stay away from everything that threatens my heart conditions. She gave me another two pills
that knocked me straight to sleep. I was woken up the next day by her gentle & soft hands brushing my
face. She is the sweetest person I ever met. She had bought me breakfast with her own money. For the
first time in 5 days , I smiled. She made sure I do. She is a very kind person but she is a mess inside , just
like me. She had been through a lot. She sat on her favourite spot next to me & told me her story. She
was abandoned in a dustbin shortly after birth. She could’ve died the very same day she was born but a
good woman who couldn’t bear babies was at the right spot at the right time. She saw a woman
abandoning a baby & tried to stop her but she ran away very fast. She took the baby & decided to raise
her. She was raised by two lovely parents that weren’t biologically hers and they decided to name her
“REMOFILWEKEMODIMO” , Remofilwe in short. The saddest part was that she was then left alone. Her
parents died few months ago in a car accident. She has been trying to heal since then. She told me that
she was taking it step by step. She then told me that she found out that my son was in jail & going to
trial the next day. She told me that she was aware of my pain and that only a prayer could get me
through that. I didn’t know how to feel about my son’s trial that was only a day away. I wanted to cry
but I had ran out of tears. I guess she was right. The only weapon I was left with was a prayer. I made a
request & asked if I could be discharged for my son’s trial but told me I wasn’t healthy enough. She said
she’ll give me the TV remote & watch the trial from the bed but I wanted to be there for my son. I
wanted my son to feel supported. It broke my heart but I don’t think I had any other choice. I was
hoping to explain my absence whenever I saw him. I barely slept that night tossing & turning thinking
how the trial was going to go. I finally woke up to the day I wasn’t looking forward to, the day of the
trial. My emotions were all over the place. I couldn’t even find the courage of switching on the TV to
watch the trial. I couldn’t bear seeing my son going through all that. Remofilwe (The Nurse) came in &
found me with a remote on my hand but when she looked at the TV it was still off. She asked my why I
was not watching the trial because it began an hour ago. I told her my fears & she told me she was there
for me. I finally found the courage to switch the TV on & watched the trial. There was a whole lot of back
& forth until my son took the stand. He was numb, he was very weak & defeated. It was like he wanted
it all to end. Before the judge could even say anything he looked straight into his eyes & said “I’M
GUILTY YOUR HONOR”. I couldn’t believe it. My son would’ve never harmed a woman or anyone for that
matter. My son would’ve never raised hand on a woman. My son was not a rapist. I was left wondering
what is it that was going on in his head. What had really happened that night? The judge looked back at
him & said “OHH YOU JUST MADE MY JOB EASY YOUNG MAN. IN THAT CASE THE COURT FINDS YOU
GUILTY FOR ALL CHARGES. YOU ARE SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR ASSAULT & RAPE. THE COURT IS
ADJOURNED.” He hit the gavel (the hammer) to adjourn the trial & that’s when I felt my heart getting
ripped out of my chest. I cried my lungs out & screamed but nothing was helping. I had caused a scene
in the ward that Remofilwe was left with no choice but so sedate me. She quickly grabbed an injection
then injected me. She looked me in the eye and said “I’M SORRY MAMA" as my vision started getting
blurry until I finally blacked out. I was woken up by a phone call from numbers I couldn’t recognized
which I ignored. The call came in again and I ended up answering it. When I heard his voice I
immediately dropped a tear, it was my son calling from the correctional service phone booth. He told
me that he was sorry but I couldn’t let him blame himself. He tried convincing me that he was guilty but
I knew him very well, I could separate the truth from his lies. I told him I loved him & that I was in
hospital. I explained everything to him. He was more concerned about me than himself. It was like he
had totally given up. I promised her that once I got discharged I’ll come visit him. It was so nice hearing
his voice , I even slept well that night. Following day I was woken up by another phone call but it was
from Remofilwe, she wasn’t working that day. She told me to quickly switch on the TV & go to the news
channel. I quickly grabbed the remote & switched it on. My son was making headlines once again. The
judge had decided to retrial the case because he believed that it was an unfair verdict. He demanded to
try the case again with an immediate effect. My son had to go on trial once again but this time I wanted
to be there for him no matter my condition I wanted to get there. I pleaded with Remofilwe who was
sceptical about the idea but ended up giving in & agreeing to take me there. She came from home &
came to the hospital. My body was still stiff so she had to put me on a wheelchair. I was in so much
physical pain but I had to get there. We were a bit late but she tried taking short cuts. That woman was
God sent. I had a leap of faith, I believed that it was the day that my son goes FREE. We finally got there.
She carefully took me out of the car & put me on the wheelchair again. There was a lot of journalists
outside. Some believed my son was innocent but some were saying that the state should bring back the
death penalty. I ignored all that. Remofilwe pushed me on a wheelchair all the way to door & opened it.
The trial was almost over , we were very late. When we got inside it was very intense. The judge paused
for a second , looked at us & continued speaking and said “AS I WAS SAYING, THIS NEW EVIDENCE THAT
HAS SURFACED CLEARS & VERIFIES THE SUSPICIONS THAT THE DEFENDANT IS INDEED THE DEATH
PENALTY SERIAL KILLER THEREFORE WE ARE FORCED TO REVERSE THE LIFE SENTENCE VERDICT & RE-
INTRODUCE THE DEATH PENALTY. THE DEFENDANT WILL BE GIVEN A TASTE OF HIS OWN MEDICINE.
YOU ARE SENTENCED TO DEATH" everyone in the courtroom was left in disbelief. My son’s eyes popped
with disbelief then turned to look at me. I could see all the pain in his eyes. They aggressively
handcuffed him again , I asked Remofilwe to push me forward. As painful as it was I got up from the
wheelchair & ran to my son. He also slipped through the police officers & ran to me too. I gave him a
very warm hug. I didn’t want to let go. We were separated by an army of officers. I couldn’t bear seeing
my son in that state. He was even crying. I looked at him & shouted for the whole courtroom to hear &
said: “I KNOW YOU ARE INNOCENT. I KNOW YOU DIDN’T DO ANY OF THE THINGS YOU ARE ACCUSED OF.
I AM GOING TO PROVE YOUR INNOCENCE ANELE. I AM GOING TO PROVE THAT YOU DIDN’T DO IT. I’LL
GET JUSTICE FOR YOU MY SON".

CHAPTER THREE

I knew very well that my son was innocent and there was nothing at all that would convince me
otherwise. I was prepared to do EVERYTHING in my power to prove his innocence. I cried my lungs out
when those police officers dragged my son back to his cell, a cell that he didn’t even belong to. When I
turned around I found Palesa looking straight into my eyes, the woman responsible for my son’s arrest ,
the woman that my son gave more than his heart to. She was standing there starring at me with her
eyes full of regret probably wondering what she has done. She had the power & chance to tell the truth
that was going to set my son free but she chose not to say anything. I might not have known what my
son got up to on the streets but I knew my son wasn’t a rapist or a serial killer they say he was. I wanted
to approach her but I had been standing for too long that my feet couldn’t take it anymore. Remofilwe
saw I was in pain & couldn’t take it anymore. She rushed to me with the wheelchair & well balanced me
to sit. I cried until I couldn’t anymore, I was hurting both inside & outside. I wanted to die on the spot
but at the same time I wanted to do everything to prove my son’s innocence before he goes under the
death penalty punishment, I wouldn’t let my son go through that. Remofilwe took me back to her car & I
was quiet all along. I then asked her to take me home and not back to the hospital. She knew I had not
recovered but she still listened to me. She took me home & gave me some medication and instructed
me how & when to take them. She told me I should call when I needed her then she left. I was all alone
in the house , it felt even bigger without my son. Everything in that house reminded me of my son , all
the happy memories we created in & outside the house. I WAS NOT READY TO LOSE HIM. I had to do
something before it was too late but most of all I wanted to talk face to face with Palesa. I wanted to
know why she did what she did to my son. I wanted the answers to every question I had on me and felt
like she was the ONLY person with the answers. I tried calling her but she had blocked my numbers. My
frustrations grew every single day that I couldn’t take it anymore , I took my bag & went to where palesa
was staying. I stood at the corner of her street for hours hoping to see her. Patience was the only option
I had. I didn’t even know if I was going to see her but I still stood there with a little hope In me. It got
very dark and just when I was about to give up a car that I recognized very well passed me & stop at her
gate. It stopped for like 10 minutes with no one coming out and that gave me enough time to analyze
the car. Even though I was not sure I was convinced that it was Thabiso’s Car. After some few minutes,
the passenger side door opened & palesa came out. The car left & I quickly rushed to her. Before she
could open her gate I was already there. I stopped her & even though she was a bit scared she still
stopped to listen to what I was about to say. My eyes were teary but I managed to hold my tears back. I
couldn’t even look that woman in the eye. The first word I said to her was “PLEASE" . she was confused. I
finally got the courage to look her in the eye & said “PLEASE , ANELE KE NGWANAKE WABO FELELO. KE
AGO KOPELA PALESA. (Please , Anele is my one & only child. I am pleading with you Palesa)” . She stood
there without saying a word. She bowed her head & when she raised it tears just fell off down her
cheeks & said “MAMA , NGWANA GAO ASE LE NGELOI. GA O MITSI THE WAY NNA KEMO ITSING. NNETE
KEGORE HE RAPED ME. HE FORCED HIMSELF ON ME. KE MASWABI MARA KEYONA NNETE EO (Your son
is not an angel, you don’t know him the way I do. The truth is that he did RAPE ME. I am sorry but that IS
THE TRUTH , he raped me.)” . She couldn’t have fooled me , those were crocodile tears. I knew crocodile
tears when I saw one. She was a very good liar but I could see right through her. The very same way I
saw that she wasn’t a good person from the very first time I laid my eyes on her. I slowly wiped her tears
with the end of my long sleeve knitted jersey that I was wearing & said “AKETSEBE WHY O DIRA JAANA
BUT MODIMO ABE LE WENA NGWANAKA. (I don’t know why you are doing this but let the lord be with
you my child)”. I put on a smile that quickly faded & said “ANELE GAISI A RATE MOTHO THE WAY NE A
RATANG WENA KATENG. KETLOO RAPEDISA GORE DITIRO TSA GAAGO DISA BOWA DIAGO SENYETSA
BOTSHELO. GAONYAKE O PHELA KA GO ITSHOLA. (Anele has never loved anyone like he loved you. I will
pray that your actions don’t catch up with you & make your life hard. You don’t want to live with
regrets.)”. She looked at me & said “I WISH I CAN HELP YOU BUT I CAN’T. YOUR SON IS THE ONE THAT IS
PAYING FOR HIS ACTIONS.” She then opened the gate as the sign that she was done talking to me.
Before she could go in I held her hand to stop her. I reached inside bag , took out this fat brown
envelope & said “I HOPE THIS CHANGES YOUR MIND" . it was an envelope full of my life saving ,
R350 000” . I cleaned every cent in my account, she seemed like a materialistic person that was easily
bought. I wouldn’t mind crossing the line for my son, I wouldn’t mind being broke for the rest of my life
if it meant getting my son free. There was absolutely nothing that I wouldn’t trade to get my son. I
handed the envelope over to her then walked away. But before we could both get any far I stopped &
said “BEFORE KE TSAMAYA. I HAVE ONE MORE QUESTION. WAS THAT THABISO’S CAR THAT DROPPED
YOU OFF? ANELE'S ONLY BEST FRIEND?” . She turned around to look at me & froze. I looked back at her,
took a few steps to approach her & repeated the question “KE YONA KOLOI YA THABISO NEH? (that is
Thabiso’s car isn’t it?)”

CHAPTER FOUR

She froze for a few minutes then finally responded in a trembling voice & said “YES, THAT’S THABISO’S
CAR. HE OFFERED ME A LIFT BECAUSE WE WERE GOING THE SAME DIRECTION. WHY?” . I looked her
deep in the eyes & down to her soul and said “NO I AM JUST ASKING. ANYWAY I HOPE TO HEAR FROM
YOU SOON.” then I left. It hit me that I have never seen Thabiso in any of Anele's trials. His only best
friend never bothered to come & support his friend. I treated that boy like he was my son. He never
even came to check me at hospital. Something was odd. I just had so many questions about everything. I
needed answers. Everything still felt like a long dream. I was all alone. I was flat broke , I had given all my
money to Palesa. I spent every night tossing & turning , I couldn’t sleep knowing that my son was out
there in a cell sleeping uncomfortably. Always wondering how he was & what he had eaten every single
day. You know what was more painful? My son had accepted his fate, he didn’t event want any visitors. I
couldn’t visit my own damn son. I didn’t even know when he was going for the death penalty process. I
didn’t know how much time I had to convince the justice system & everybody else that my son was
innocent. My only hope to prove my son’s innocence was the same person that put him in that position,
Palesa. I lost a lot of weight in a couple of days because of stressing & overthinking. The Death Penalty
was re-introduced after 30 years & my son was going to be the first person to go under that
punishment. Everybody else was convinced that my son did it except for me because no one knows my
son for than I do, I gave birth to that soul. He wouldn’t even hurt a fly. I would go to prison every single
day hoping that he would let me speak to him so that I can finally hear his side of the story but he would
never let me see him. Until one day I received a call from correctional service, my heart melted & tears
of mixed emotions just fell down my cheeks when I heard his voice. It was Anele. He called me to tell
him that I can come & see him the following day. He was down , I could read his emotions from his
voice. I never thought I’d ever see my son in that position. The call didn’t take long , he didn’t want to
talk too much he just wanted me to come & see him the following day. I didn’t even know how to feel
but I was happy that I was finally going to see my son. I woke up very early that day & made sure I
prepared his favorite meal. I took out my favorite dress & made sure I looked well to convince him that I
was doing well so that he doesn’t worry much about me. I went to prison & waited for him at a visitors
section. I couldn’t wait to see my son. I waited for like 10 minutes before he came. I even thought he
had changed his mind about seeing me but after 10 minutes I saw him from a distance coming to me. He
had lost weight , my son was a total mess. I could tell from the look in his eyes that he was emotionally
exhausted from everything that has been happening. He was handcuffed & also cuffed on his legs
making it hard for him to walk. He was in the orange prison clothes , my son in an ORANGE SUIT. I never
imagined that. I wanted to break down & cry seeing him in that state but I had to act strong for the both
of us. He sat on the other side , forced a smile & said “ASHEE MAMA (hy mom)” . I looked back at him,
took out the food that I prepared for him and handed it to him. I forced a smile too & said “DUMELA
NGWANAKA. (hy son)" . He thanked me for the food and proceeded to speak , he said “I AM SORRY FOR
DENYING YOU A CHANCE OF SEEING ME ALL THIS TIME. I KNOW HOW SEEING ME IN THIS STATE WOULD
BREAK YOU. I CANNOT AFFORD TO SEE YOU BROKEN MOM AND....” before he could finish his sentence
he was interrupted by this man in a black suit carrying a side bag. He sat next to him & said “I AM SORRY
I AM LATE. I WAS CAUGHT UP IN TRAFFIC.” I was confused, what this man want in me & my son’s
meeting? I recognized him before he could even introduce himself, I saw him on TV when I was lying on
a hospital bed. He was my son’s lawyer that the state gave to him since he couldn’t afford one. I looked
at my son & he could tell I was confused about the whole set-up. Before I could ask he started talking &
said “MAMA , KE MR SIDWELL ONA. HE’S MY LAWYER. I DIDN’T WANT YOU TO FIND ABOUT THIS
TOMORROW ON THE NEWS. I WANTED YOU TO BE THE FIRST ONE.” He bowed his head & shed a tear. I
looked at the lawyer & moved my eyes back to my son & said “FIND OUT ABOUT ANELE?”. The lawyer
answered on his behalf “I AM SORRY MS ROSALINE. I TRIED MY BEST TO FIGHT THIS , I DID EVERYTHING
IN MY POWER BUT IT WAS A FIGHT THAT I WAS NEVER GOING TO WIN NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRIED.
THE STATE WANTS TO PROVE A POINT & THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO. I AM REALLY SORRY TO
INFORM YOU BUT YOUR SON IS UNDERGOING HIS DEATH PENALTY PUNISHMENT IN TWO WEEKS.” My
heart immediately skipped a beat , I stood up & shouted “NOO NOO PLEASE TELL ME YOU ARE LYING.
PLEASE NGWANAKA PLEASE TELL THEM THAT YOU ARE INNOCENT PLEASE NGWANAKA PLEASE. TELL
THEM YOUR SIDE OF THE STORY. TELL THEM WHAT REALLY HAPPENED THAT NIGHT PLEASE. NOO IT’S
TOO SOON.” I was crying my lung out that I got everybody’s attention in the room. My son couldn’t even
hold back his tears. It was a very emotional moment. I didn’t even know who needed comfort more
between me & my son, we were both crying as I held on to his soft hand. I wiped his tears while mine
were still running down my cheeks & said “GOTLO LOKA NGWANAKA. AT THIS POINT. TSOTLHE REDI
BEYA MO MODIMONG, GOTLO LOKA.” He got up to leave because he couldn’t stand seeing me in that
state. My boy loved me to the core, a single tear drop on my eye would break him way too deep. He
didn’t want to see me cry. Everytime I cry he would stand up & leave. But that time I wouldn’t let him
go. I held on to his hand & told him how much I loved him. I told him that I was going to make sure that
in that two weeks I was going to prove his innocence. He wiped his tears & said “I KNOW YOU HAVE A
LOT OF QUESTIONS REGARDING WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT BUT ONE THING YOU SHOULD KNOW IS
THAT I DIDN’T DO ANYTHING. IT IS OKAY MOM. I AM TIRED. THIS IS A BATTLE THAT YOU & I CAN’T WIN.
THE STATE HAS ALREADY DECIDED THAT THEY WANT ME GUILTY. THEY WOULD DO EVERYTHING IN
THEIR POWER TO PROVE A POINT. THEY HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS SERIAL KILLER FOR WAY TOO
LONG. THEY WANT TO CONVINCE THE WORLD THAT I AM THE SERIAL KILLER & I AM POWERLESS. THIS
ISN’T EVEN WORTH THE FIGHT, WE ARE HAVE ALREADY LOST.” He put on a smile & took the food I had
for him and sarcastically said “WELL ATLEAST I WON’T DIE WITHOUT EATING MY FAVORITE FOOD" he
tried to laugh at his joke but his pain overpowered him & tears just continued falling off his face. He
continued to speak & said “I AM GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE FOR ME MAMA. I WANT
YOU TO ALWAYS KNOW GORE KAORATA MAMA , THATA LE GONA. YOU MEAN THE WORLD TO ME. I AM
REALLY SORRY FOR PUTTING YOU THROUGH ALL OF THIS. I HOPE YOU FIND PEACE. GOODBYE MOM" I
was lost for words , that “Goodbye” he said went to deep like it was the last time I saw him. I was
devastated. I hugged him way too tight & reminded him how much I loved him. He put his hands around
me & gave me a hug tight as well. THAT FELT LIKE A GOODBYE HUG. My tears wouldn’t stop rolling down
my cheeks. I didn’t want to let go of him. The prison guards immediately separated us because a
prisoner is not supposed to be in contact with a visitor. I had to watch him go back to his cell , he
couldn’t stop looking back at me until I couldn’t see him anymore. I was left there with his lawyer. I was
devastated & couldn’t stop crying. The lawyer looked at me & said “ONE THING I FORGOT TO MENTION
IS THAT THERE WILL BE NO MORE VISITS. THE CONVICT CAN’T BE VISITED BY ANYONE WHILE HE AWAITS
THE DEATH PENALTY. I AM REALLY SORRY" I felt my heart getting ripped out of my chest. I was a mess. I
couldn’t understand why all this was happening to me & my only son. I just sat at the prison bench
helplessly for hours just thinking out loud. I finally got the energy to get up & go home. And just when I
thought my day couldn’t get any worse I found a police van at my gate. When I got to my gate one police
officer came out & had a paper on his hand. He stopped me & said “HY MAMA. I HAVE BEEN WAITING
HERE FOR LIKE AN HOUR. WE GOT A COMPLAINT FROM PALESA SAYING YOU ARE HARASSING HER. I DO
NOT KNOW HOW TRUE IS THAT BUT SHE FILED A RESTRICTION ORDER AGAINST YOU. I AM SORRY
MAMA BUT IF YOU MAKE CONTACT WITH HER WE WILL BE FORCED TO ARREST YOU.” And that is when I
lost all hope of proving my son’s innocence. Palesa was not prepared telling the truth & set my son free.
That B***ch went & filed a restriction order against me. She just had everything planned out. To think
that I gave her every cent I had in my name , I cleaned out my savings account. I took that paper that
had all the restrictions from the police officer. He was feeling pity for me. He’s the only police officer I
ever met that had a heart. He gave me a paper & told me that he is just doing his job & hopes that
everything will be okay. He told me that he believed that Anele was innocent. He then got back to the
car & left. Next day I was woken up by a call from Remofilwe. She told me that she had just seen the
news & that my son has been the topic since morning. They had announced the date of his conviction. It
was all over social media platforms & newspapers. Some other news channels were even counting down
downs to this conviction. IT WAS EVERYWHERE. The most popular case in south africa. After Remofilwe's
call my phone was ringing non-stop , the journalists wanted to interview me that I even ended up
switching off my phone. I had suicidal thoughts. I wanted to die knowing that there was absolutely
nothing I would do at that point to prove that my son was innocent. I was defeated. Days moved way
too fast & I couldn’t believe It when I woke up to the day of my son’s conviction. It was the day that my
son was going to face the death penalty conviction. I will never in my whole life forget that day. I
remember it like it was yesterday, July 5th. It was a moment that I couldn’t wish to my worst enemy. No
mother deserves to witness the death of their child. I didn’t want to go but I had to go see my son for
the very last time. I remember sitting there watching my son through this thick window wondering if he
could see me too from the other side. I was surrounded by people that claim to be the justice league ,
people that claim to know the law. My son was on the other side tied onto a this wood chair. There was
this metal thing put on to his head. My son was helpless. He had tears running down his cheeks. He had
already accepted his fate. I would never forget the moment when the other police officer that was in the
room with him pointed at his watched meaning “IT WAS TIME" . Anele looked at the police officer &
strated shaking. I got up & did what any other mother would’ve done , I shouted “PLEASE TAKE ME
INSTEAD PLEASE PUT ME ON THAT CHAIR & LET MY SON GO. WE ALL KNOW HE IS INNOCENT. PLEASE
TAKE ME I AM THE DEATH PENALTY SERIAL KILLER PLEASE TAKE ME.” I caused drama that they wouldn’t
take any of it. They had to force me out of the room & immediately after taking me out. They started the
electrifying chair. I was standing outside looking through the door window. When all that electricity hit
my son he tried all in his power to let himself free. I had to watch my son fight for his life until he
couldn’t couldn’t fight anymore. All that voltages going to his body. I had to watch my son take his last
breath on that chair. He kicked & slowly stopped then TOOK HIS FINAL BREATH. I cried my lungs out.
That was it, I had lost my one & only son. Anele waka was gone just like that. I cried until I collapsed. I
woke up at the hospital again. I woke up hoping that everything that happened was a dream but when I
opened my eyes I was looking straight to the TV screen reporting my son’s horrible death. That was the
moment that I wished I could die too. There was nothing left for me. I spent two moths at the hospital &
in that two months I went for counseling which never really helped. I felt like I was going crazy. I would
overdose on pills hoping that I never wake up to see another day but they never worked. I was finally
discharge after two months. I spent another two months locked myself in the house. Life was
meaningless to me but there was still something in me that told me I should prove my son’s innocence
even if he was dead. But it was hard to do so because after my son’s death the serial killer never stroke
again making people believe that my son really was the death penalty serial killer. That pained me a lot.
After two months of locking myself in the house I finally decided to go out & buy myself a bread. When I
got to the shop my eyes popped when I saw a missing person poster near the counter of the shop. I
recognized the person on that poster very well. I took out the poster to have a clearer look at the
picture. THE MISSING PERSON WAS PALESA…

CHAPTER FIVE

I froze for couple of minutes with that poster on my hand. According to the poster Palesa had been
missing for a week. No one knew where she went. I didn’t know how to feel about that poster. That
could’ve been proof enough that the real serial killer was back & could prove that my son was really
innocent but at the same time it was just a poster , it couldn’t prove that Palesa was abducted by the
real serial killer or even killed by the serial killer . Palesa could’ve just went away without telling anyone.
But either way that poster gave me a little hope to hold on to. I folded the poster well , bought the
bread I came to buy then went back home , I had even changed my pace I was walking a bit fast so I can
get home quick & analyze that poster well. What saddened me when I got home was my flower garden
that was dead , I realized that I spent so much time indoors that I couldn’t even water my favourite
flowers. I found so much peace in that flower garden , I would always water the flowers every single day
but that time it was the different , for the first time the flowers were dead. Somehow I felt like those
dead flowers symbolized how dead I was inside. I picked one flower that was still a bit good, the only
flower that still had a little of life then went into the house & made myself food. Funny enough I
prepared food for two people because I always felt like my son would walk in & join me someday , I
couldn’t accept that he was gone. I kept making an extra plate everytime I made food for myself. His
death disturbed me emotionally & mentally. I was losing my mind every single day. I prepared food &
placed another plate near an empty chair on the face. Sat on the other chair to face that empty chair & I
smiled then pretended that I was speaking to him. I would speak & pause pretending as if he was talking
to me back and just laugh out loud because my son like joking around , he was a free spirit. I would
pretend that I was listening to him telling jokes and laugh about it. I knew I needed help , I was starting
to lose it. My “conversation” with my dead son was interrupted when I remembered about the poster I
took from the shop. I took the poster out & all the emotions came back at once , old wounds were
opened when I remembered everything my son went through & how tragic his death was for something
that I am 100% sure he didn’t do. I raised my head & saw his picture on the wall, the last picture he took.
He had this wide smile on his face. I was deeply hurt when I realized how my son got robbed his life , he
just wanted to make me proud. He was so young, he had a lot of dreams. I kept looking at the poster &
his picture on the wall with my tears couldn’t stop rolling down my cheeks until I couldn’t take it
anymore. I wiped my tears off my face , took down the picture on the wall & went to the garage door. I
aggressively opened the garage door that it even injured my arm , I was furious , my emotions were just
all over the place. As soon the door fully opened she started screaming & kicking , she was begging for
help. She was begging for her life. There she was tied up on the wooden chair that looks exactly like the
one my son was on when he got electrocuted to death. Yes I had kidnapped the woman responsible for
all this pain, I WAS THE ONE BEHIND PALESA’S DISAPPEARANCE. She didn’t know where she was & had
no idea who had kidnapped her. It has been a week since she was in there. I would bring her food &
water everyday without saying a word and she wouldn’t see me because the chair was facing the other
way from the door & she couldn’t even turn because she was tightly tied up on that chair so whenever I
brought her food I would give it to her from the back of the chair. I wanted to see that woman suffer the
same way my son did. I finally went to the other side of chair & when I appeared she couldn’t believe
what her eyes were showing her. Her eyes popped and she froze trying to make sense out of everything.
I grabbed the other chair & faced her. I looked her deep in the eye & said “KE GOPOLA GERE KOPANA
FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME NGWANAKA. I ASKED YOU NICELY TO TREAT MY SON WELL. I NEVER TRUSTED
YOU FROM THE VERY FIRST TIME I LAID MY EYES ON YOU BUT I STILL DECIDED TO GIVE YOU THE
BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT. ONE OMO THABISA NGWANAKA AND I REMEMBER TELLING YOU THAT GE O
KABE WA HURT NGWANAKA IN ANYWAY OTLILE GO DEAL LE NNA. I WAS NOT JOKING. HERE WE ARE
NOW.” She was looking straight into my painful eyes , she was sweating & shaking. She was really
scared. The pain in my eyes made it even worse for her that she couldn’t even maintain eye contact
anymore when she realized the pain she caused me , she just hanged her head & faced down then tears
started rolling down her cheeks & she started apologizing. it was honestly heart-breaking to see her in
that state but when I remembered all the pain she caused me I couldn’t feel sorry for her or guilty for
abducting her. I put my head under her chin & gently lifted her head to look at me. Honestly a part of
me was feeling sorry for her but that woman caused me a lot of pain , he took my son away from me. I
wiped her tears & said “BAEBELE EKEE BALANG ENG RUTILE BOTLHOKWA BA GO NNA LE PELO YAGO
TSHWARELA NGWANAKA. KE ITHUTILE GO TSHWARELANA , LE FOR DI APOLOGY TSE ISING KEDI
FUMANE KEDI TSHWARETSE. GO LLATA GO KOPA MAITSHWARELO EMPA ENNO ITSI GORE KE KGALE
KAGO TSHWARELA. KE SELO SELE SENGWE FELA SEKE SE BATLANG MOGO WENA, NNETE. KE BATLA
NNETE FELA GORE GO DIRAGETSENG LETSATSI LEO O TSHWARISITSENG NGWANAKA ANELE. (The bible
that I read taught me the importance of having a forgiving heart, I have learned to forgive even for the
apologies that I never got. It is a little too late to apologize but just know I have already forgiven you.
There’s only one thing I want from you & that’s the truth. I want to know what really happened the day
that you had my son arrested.)” I couldn’t care if she went & had me arrested , I just wanted the truth. I
wanted closure. I spent sleepless nights asking myself what could have happened that night , what led to
Palesa accusing my son of rape & also making assumptions that Anele could be the serial killer. I told her
that she had one more chance to make a difference. Even if it wouldn’t bring my son back , I would get
the closure I needed & my son would definitely rest in peace. I kept looking at my watch to check what
time it was because it was Sunday, I had to go to church. I was running out of patience & she would see
that I was frequently checking time. Before I knew it she started talking. I heard her say: “I STILL
REMEMBER THAT NIGHT LIKE IT WAS YESTERDAY. IT WAS RAINING. I BEGGED HER TO COME SLEEPOVER
AT MY PLACE, HE TOLD ME THAT HE HAD A LOT OF SCHOOL PROJECTS BUT HE COULDN’T SAY NO TO
ME, THAT’S ONE THING I LOVED ABOUT HIM. I LOVED HOW HE LOVED ME. HE WOULD ALWAYS GO ALL
OUT TO SEE ME HAPPY EVEN IF IT MEANT SACRIFICING HIS OWN HAPPINESS FOR ME. HE CAME WITH
SNACKS & A RED ROSE BECAUSE HE KNEW HOW MUCH I LOVED ROSES. HE WAS FOREVER SMILING. IT
WAS NEVER A DULL MOMENT WITH HIM. I WAS GRATEFUL THAT HE CAME. I COULDN’T STOP
THANKING HIM ESPECIALLY FOR THAT ROSE. WE HAD A HAPPY TIME THAT NIGHT UNTIL EVERYTHING
WENT UPSIDE DOWN. WE HAD JUST HAD SEX SO I WENT TO THE BATHROOM TO FETCH A TOWEL &
FORGOT MY PHONE UNDER A PILLOW. AFTER LEAVING THE ROOM I RECEIVED A CALL , I COULD HEAR
HIM CALLING ME TO COME & ANSWER THE PHONE BECAUSE HE DIDN’T FEEL COMFORTABLE
ANSWERING MY CALLS OR JUST GOING THROUGH MY PHONE. THE NUMBERS WERE FROM A LANDLINE
, I FIGURED THAT HE ANSWERED IT ON MY BEHALF BECAUSE HE THOUGHT IT WAS AN IMPORTANT CALL
SINCE IT WAS A LANDLINE. HE ANSWERED THE CALL & BEFORE HE COULD EVEN SPEAK THE OTHER
PERSON ON THE LINE SPOKE BEFORE HIM & IT WAS A GUY. HE ASKED IF HE SHOULD COME PICK ME UP
AFTER WORK FOR DINNER & TOLD ME HOW HE WAS GRATEFUL FOR THE SEX I GAVE HIM THE PREVIOUS
NIGHT. ANELE JUST FROZE WHEN HE HEARD ALL THAT. I FOUND HIM WITH MY PHONE ON HIS HAND &
HAD TEARY EYES. HE COULDN’T BELIEVE THAT I CHEATED ON HIM & BETRAYED HIM. HE ASKED ME WHO
THAT GUY WAS & SWORE THAT HE RECOGNIZED THAT GUY’S VOICE. I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY TO
HIM SO I ENDED UP TELLING HIM THE WHOLE TRUTH. THE GUY THAT CALLED ME WAS HIS BESTFRIEND,
THABO. I HAD BEEN CHEATING WITH HIM FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS. HE WAS SO FURIOUS WHEN HIS
SUSPICIONS WERE CONFIRMED. HE COULDN’T BELIEVE THAT HIS BEST FRIEND WOULD DO THAT TO
HIM. HE WAS SO ANGRY THAT HE EVEN RAISED HIS HAND ON ME BUT HE WAS NOT THAT PERSON, HE
STOPPED HALF WAY & LOWERED HIS HAND. HE COULDN’T BEAT ME, HE WAS NOT THAT PERSON. HE
GOT DRESSED & PREPARED HIMSELF TO LEAVE. HE WANTED TO GO & APPROACH THABO BUT I DIDN’T
WANT TO LOSE BOTH OF THEM MORE ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THABO TOOK GOOD CARE OF ME , HE
WOULD TAKE ME ANYWHERE , HE WOULD BUY ME EXPENSIVE GIFTS , HE WOULD TAKE ME TO DATES.
ANELE WAS TRYING HIS BEST TO MAKE ME HAPPY , HE WAS UNEMPLOYED BUT HE HAD PLANS FOR THE
BOTH OF US. I BELIEVED THAT HE WAS GOING TO MAKE IT BUT I RAN OUT OF PATIENT. I HAD TO
CHOOSE BETWEEN HIM & THABO AND THAT’S WHEN IT ALL BEGAN. I THREATENED HIM THAT IF HE
GOES & THREATENS THABO IN ANY KIND OF WAY I WAS GOING TO MAKE HIS LIFE A LIVING HELL.
TECHNICALLY I HAD CHOSEN THABO. HE LEFT MY ROOM WITHOUT SAYING ANYTHING. FEW MINUTES
LATER I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THABO , HE WAS FURIOUS TELLING ME THAT ANELE CAME TO
CONFRONT HIM AT HIS WORKPLACE. I WANTED TO PROVE A POINT TO ANELE , I WASN’T THINKING
STRAIGHT. I CALLED THE POLICE & REPORTED THAT I WAS RAPED & THE PERSON THAT DID IT WAS
ANELE. BEFORE I KNEW IT THE POLICE WERE AT MY PLACE. THEY ASKED ME TO STEP OUT OF MY ROOM
SO I CAN ANALYZE THE “CRIME SCENE" AND I DID. ONE OF THE POLICE OFFICERS CAME BACK WITH
THAT RED ROSE & ASKED ME WHO IT BELONGED TO & I TOLD HIM THAT IT FELL OUT OF ANELE’S
POCKETS AFTER HE RAPED ME. HE TOLD ME IF I WAS SURE & I CONFIRMED MY STORY. HE TOLD ME
THAT THEY COULD HAVE THE SERIAL KILLER BECAUSE THAT ROSE LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE THE ONES THAT
THE SERIAL KILLER ALWAYS USES. THE ROSE THAT THE SERIAL KILLER LEAVES AFTER KILLING HIS
VICTIMS. I WAS SHOCKED TO HEAR THAT AND IT WAS TOO LATE FOR ME TO CHANGE MY STATEMENT. I
DIDN’T WANT TO GO TO JAIL FOR WASTING POLICE TIME & RESOURCES SO I MADE THEM BELIEVE THAT
HE WANTED TO KILL ME AFTER RAPING ME BUT I FOUGHT UNTIL HE FLED. THEY THEN ASKED ME FOR
DIRECTIONS TO ANELE’S PLACE. THEY PROMISED THAT THEY WERE GOING TO GET JUSTICE FOR ME.
ONE OF THE POLICE OFFICERS TOOK ME TO THE STATION TO PUT MY STATEMENT ON PAPER & ALSO
FOR THEM TO RUN TESTS THAT I WAS REALLY RAPED. ANELE & I HAD JUST HAD SEX SO IT WAS EASY TO
PROVE THAT HE RAPED ME. THE OTHER POLICE OFFICERS THEN WENT TO YOUR HOUSE TO ARREST HIM.
I AM REALLY SORRY. I WAS NAÏVE. IF I COULD TAKE BACK THE TIME & DO THINGS RIGHT I WOULD.” I
couldn’t believe that my son was sacrificed for material stuff , all of this just for Palesa to prove a point &
never lose Thabo and everything he gives him. My son died because of his dry pockets , he died because
he couldn’t get a job , he died because he couldn’t afford the lifestyle that Palesa wanted. Most of all he
died for finding out the truth. I treated Thabo like he was my own son since she doesn’t have a mother.
He would come to me to seek help from me , I was the only person he could talk to. I would go all out to
help him. I remember when he came to me to ask for transport money because he had an interview. I
didn’t have money but I made sure that before the sunset I had the money & I went to his home & gave
him money so he could go for a job interview. Anele & Thabo were really really close. I never thought he
would betray him like that. I tried so hard to hold back my tears but I couldn’t. I looked her in the eye
and said “THIS IS ALL I WANTED, KE LEBOGA GE O MPODITSE NNETE" I gave her the picture of my son ,
the last picture he took. She couldn’t even look at that picture. She cried her lungs out & I got up to
prepare myself to go to church. I checked time again & realized that I still have some time on my hands. I
turned back from the door & went back to the chair I was sitting on. Took the picture away from her &
said “YOU WANT TO KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT THE REAL SERIAL KILLER? BECAUSE I KNOW EXACTLY
WHO THE SERIAL KILLER IS" but firstly let me tell you MY STORY.

CHAPTER SIX

She seemed confused. I got seated well & started telling her my life story. I put on a smile that shortly
faded & said: “WELL I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A CHURCHGIRL. MY PARENTS DIED SHORTLY AFTER I
COMPLETED MY MATRIC. THEY LEFT ME WITH THIS BIG HOUSE , I WAS THEIR ONLY CHILD. MY MOTHER
LOVED FLOWERS WAY TOO MUCH, ESPECIALLY ROSES JUST LIKE YOU I GUESS THAT’S WHY SHE DECIDED
TO NAME ME ROSALINE. HER & I WERE BEST FRIENDS. WHEN MY PARENTS DIED MY WHOLE LIFE
CHANGED BUT I FOUND PEACE & CLOSURE IN THE BIBLE & CHURCH BECAUSE THEY LOVED CHURCH
WAY TOO MUCH. THE BIBLE THAT I READ EVERY SINGLE DAY BELONGS TO MY MOM , IT HELPED ME GET
THROUGH MOST STUFF. I WAS YOUNG WHEN THEY DIED , I WAS FORCED TO TAKE CARE OF THE HOUSE
RESPONSIBILITIES WHEN I WAS VERY YOUNG. I HAD TO GO LOOK FOR A JOB INSTEAD OF GOING TO
SCHOOL. I WAS LONELY. I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO ONE BY MY SIDE. I HAD NO ONE TO TALK TO ABOUT
ANY OF MY PROBLEMS UNTIL I MET THIS MAN. HE WAS A BLESSING , HE WAS TRULY GOD SENT AND HE
CAME AT A PERFECT TIME. WE MET AT CHURCH , HIS NAME WAS LLOYD. BY THAT TIME I WAS
WORKING AT SHOPRITE & HE WAS ALSO WORKING AT THIS CAR FIRM. HE WAS EARNING GOOD SO HE
WOULD TAKE CARE OF ME EVEN WHEN I WAS MAKING MY OWN MONEY. HE KNEW HOW TO TREAT A
WOMAN. HE KNEW HOW TO MAKE ME HAPPY. I ASKED HIM TO MOVE IN WITH ME , EVEN THOUGH HE
WAS SCEPTICAL ABOUT IT HE AGREED TO MOVE IN WITH ME. HE WOULD HONESTLY DO ANYTHING TO
MAKE ME HAPPY. WE WERE SO INLOVE. OUR LOVE WAS STRENGTHENED BY THE LOVE OF GOD THAT
WE BOTH SHARED. HE EVEN PROPOSED TO ME AND THERE WAS NO WAY I COULD TURN IT DOWN ,
THAT WAS THE MAN I WANTED TO SPEND MY WHOLE LIFE. AS YOUNG AS I WAS I KNEW WHAT I WAS
DOING , I KNEW WHAT I WANTED IN LIFE AND MY LIFE WITHOUT THAT MAN WAS THE LIFE I NEVER
ENVISIONED. HE MEANT EVERYTHING TO ME. THE ONLY THING I WAS NOT READY FOR WAS BABIES. HE
WANTED BABIES BUT I JUST WASN’T READY, HE UNDERSTOOD. HE WAS A VERY UNDERSTANDING MAN.
I WAS REALLY BLESSED. I HAD NEVER BEEN LOVED & APPRECIATED LIKE THAT. HE HELPED ME GET
THROUGH THE MOST IN LIFE. HE WAS MY PILLAR OF STRENGTH. LLOYD WAS MY EVERYTHING. UNTIL
ONE DAY WHEN EVERYTHING CHANGED, WHEN MY WHOLE LIFE CHANGED. ME & LLOYD ALWAYS WENT
TO CHURCH TOGETHER EVERY SUNDAY BUT THAT PARTICULAR SUNDAY HE WAS CALLED TO FILL IN FOR
SOMEONE AT WORK , I WAS SCEPTICAL OF EVEN GOING TO CHURCH WITHOUT HIM BUT I ENDED UP
GOING. IT WAS ANOTHER LOVELY SUNDAY WITH A GREAT SERVICE. AFTER THE SERVICE THE PASTOR
ASKED ME TO HELP HIM CLEAN THE CHURCH. I ENJOYED WORKING IN THE LORD’S TEMPLE AND ALSO
LLOYD WAS AT WORK SO I WAS GOING TO GET BORED AT HOME. I DECIDED TO STAY & HELP. WHEN
THE SUN WAS ABOUT TO SET I THEN LEFT TO GO HOME. I WAS CARRYING A BIBLE & A HANDBAG ON
THE OTHER HAND WEARING THE CHURCHES’ BLACK & WHITE UNIFORM WITH BLACK PANTYHOSE LIKE I
ALWAYS DID EVERY SUNDAY. I REALLY LOOKED GOOD IN THAT UNIFORM. ON MY WAY BACK HOME I
COULDN’T HELP BUT NOTICE TWO MEN BEHIND ME , I INCREASED MY PACE & THEY INCREASED THEIR
PACE AS WELL THAT’S WHEN I NOTICED THAT THESE TWO MEN WERE FOLLOWING ME. I TRIED TO RUN
BUT I WAS WEARING HEELS, I TRIPPED & FELL AND THEY CAUGHT UP TO ME. ONE OF THE GUYS HIT ME
WITH A FIST ON MY FACE & I IMMEDIATELY GOT BRUISED. THERE WAS NO ONE ON THE STREET. THEY
DRAGGED ME INTO THIS ABANDONED HOUSE & WHEN I THOUGHT I HAD SEEN SELL THAT WAS JUST
THE BEGINNING. THERE WERE OTHER FOUR MEN IN THAT ABANDONED HOUSE. THEY WERE BUSY
DRINKING & WHEN WE ENTERED THE HOUSE THEY ALL GOT UP WITH EVIL & NASTY SMILES ON THEIR
FACES. THAT IS THE DAY THAT HAS HAUNTED ME MY WHOLE LIFE. I NEVER THOUGHT I’D EVER TELL
ANYONE ABOUT THIS. I HAVE NEVER SPOKEN ABOUT IT EVER AGAIN UNTIL TODAY. I TRIED TO FIGHT
THE GUYS BUT THEY OVERPOWERED ME. THEY BEAT ME UNTIL I WAS WEAK. I COULDN’T FIGHT
ANYMORE. I WAS SO NUMB. I HAD TO WATCH ALL OF THOSE MEN LOWER THEIR TROUSERS & TAKE
TURNS ON ME. I WAS RAPED BY SIX MEN. I COULDN’T FIGHT BACK, I COULDN’T DO ANYTHING. I CRIED
UNTIL I COULDN’T ANYMORE. WHEN THEY WERE DONE THEY SPIT ON ME & POURED THEIR ALCOHOL
ON ME . THEY BEAT ME AGAIN UNTIL I BLACKED OUT. THEY PROBABLY THOUGHT I WAS DEAD. I WOKE
UP AT AROUND 10PM & WENT HOME. MY PANTYHOSE WERE TORN , I WAS BRUISED & I WAS
BLEEDING. WHEN I GOT HOME I FOUND LLOYD WAITING FOR ME IN THE LIVING ROOM. HE WAS
SHOCKED TO SEE ME IN THAT , HE WAS VERY SCARED. HE QUICKLY GOT UP & ASKED ME WHAT WAS
WRONG WITH ME BUT I COULDN’T EVEN TALK. HE IMMEDIATELY CALLED AN AMBULANCE FOR ME.
WHEN I GOT TO THE HOSPITAL I EXPLAINED EVERYTHING TO THEM. THEY TOOK TESTS & CALLED POLICE
TO TAKE THE STATEMENT. LUCKILY I HAD SEEN THE FACES OF THE TWO GUYS THAT DRAGGED ME INTO
THE HOUSE SO THE POLICE ASKED ME TO GIVE THEM THE DESCRIPTION OF THE FACES & I DID. I STILL
REMEMBER THOSE FACES VERY WELL. MY BOYFRIEND OR RATHER FIANCE WAS SUPPORTIVE. I SPENT A
WEEK IN HOSPITAL & HE WOULD BRING ME GIFTS & SPEND TIME WITH ME BUT I COULD NOTICE
CHANGES IN THE WAY HE SPOKE TO ME. HE WAS CHANGING & I WAS FEELING IT. I FINALLY GOT
DISCHARGED & HE TOOK ME HOME. I WAS STILL IN PAIN. WHEN WE GOT HOME HE IMMEDIATELY LEFT
, HE DIDN’T EVEN TELL ME WHERE HE WAS GOING. HE LEFT ME ALL ALONE IN PAIN. I NEVER THOUGHT
I’D SEE THAT HAPPENING TO ME , MY PILLAR OF STRENGTH CHANGING RIGHT INFRONT OF MY EYES. HE
CAME BACK & STILL NEVER EXPLAINED ANYTHING. HE JUST WENT STRAIGHT TO BED. NEXT DAY THE
POLICE CAME TO ME & ASKED ME TO IDENTIFY THE PEOPLE THAT RAPED ME. I ASKED LLOYD TO
ACCOMPANY ME BUT HE WAS “BUSY" SO I WENT ALONE. WHEN I GOT TO STATION I SAW THE PEOPLE
THAT DID THIS TO ME. THERE WERE JUST TWO OF THEM, THEY DIDN’T NAME THE OTHER FOUR. THEY
ADMITTED TO SEXUALLY ASSAULTING ME BUT THEY SAID THEY WERE JUST TWO. THEY CHOSE TO
PROTECT THE OTHER FOUR. I WAS JUST HAPPY THAT THEY CAUGHT PEOPLE THAT DID THIS TO ME , IT
DIDN’T MATTER TO ME HOW MANY OF THEM GOT ARRESTED AS LONG AS JUSTICE WAS SERVED. THEY
TOOK THEM BACK TO THEIR HOLDING CELLS & TOLD ME THEY WILL CALL REGARDING COURT DATES. I
WAS RELIEVED. IT WAS NICE SEEING JUSTICE SERVED. EVEN THOUGH IT DIDN’T TAKE MY PAIN AWAY, IT
MADE ME FEEL BETTER. I WENT BACK HOME & EXPLAINED TO MY MAN HOW IT WENT BUT HE WASN’T
INTERESTED. HE DIDN’T CARE MUCH. THAT MAN HAD CHANGED. HE HAD CHANGED THE WAY HE
TALKED TO ME, THE WAY HE TREATED ME , HE COULDN’T EVEN TOUCH ME ANYMORE AS IF I
DISGUSTED HIM. I NEEDED HIM THE MOST BUT HE TREATED ME LIKE I CALLED THIS UPON MYSELF , AS
IF I ASKED TO BE RAPED. HE WOULDN’T LOOK AT ME THE SAME , HE WAS DISGUSTED BY MY SIGHT.
BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY MEN CHANGE , I NEVER THOUGHT HE WOULD BUT HE DID. THE PAIN OF
SEEING MY PERFECT MAN SLIPPING THROUGH MY FINGERS JUST BECAUSE I GOT RAPED. HE EVEN
STARTED BLAMING ME FOR IT. HE DIDN’T EVEN WANT TO BE SEEN WITH ME. I WAS ALL ALONE ONCE
AGAIN EVEN THOUGH I WAS LIVING WITH SOMEONE IN THE HOUSE. HE WASN’T EMOTIONALLY THERE ,
HE WASN’T THERE IN ANYWAY. I WOULD BEG HIM TO GO BACK TO HOW HE WAS BEFORE I GOT RAPED.
I WOULD BEG HIM TO LOVE ME LIKE HE USED TO , ALL OF THAT ANGERED HIM THAT HE EVEN RAISED
HIS HANDS ON ME. HE WOULD BEAT ME UP. A GOD FEARING MAN WAS BEATING ME TO A PULP EVERY
SINGLE NIGHT. HE WAS THE FIRST PERSON TO JUDGE ME, HE CALLED ME NAMES. HE SAID I WAS
DAMAGED. BUT SOMEHOW I STILL HAD HOPE THAT HIM & I WOULD GO BACK TO NORMAL & HE WAS
GOING TO TREAT ME RIGHT. BUT IT NEVER HAPPENED. ONE NIGHT WHEN I CAME BACK FROM WORK.
HE WASN’T THERE. WHEN I GOT TO OUR ROOM HE HAD PACKED EVERYTHING & LEFT. HE DIDN’T EVEN
LEAVE A NOTE. I NEVER SAW HIM AGAIN. THAT IS A TIME OF MY LIFE THAT I WILL NEVER FORGET. I
EVEN STOPPED GOING TO CHURCH, I STARTED QUESTIONING GOD & STOPPED BELIEVING. I COULDN’T
UNDERSTAND WHY ALL OF THIS WAS HAPPENING TO ME. I WAS ALL ALONE AGAIN, I WAS GOING
THROUGH A LOT. I EVEN GOT FIRED AT WORK BECAUSE OF HOW I COULD LASH OUT TO CUSTOMERS. I
WAS LOSING MYSELF EVERY SINGLE DAY. I FELT UNSAFE. I WOULD LOCK MYSELF IN THE HOUSE SCARED
TO GETTING ATTACKED AGAIN. I WAITED FOR STATE TO CALL REGARDING THE COURT CASE OF THE
PEOPLE THAT RAPED ME BUT WEEKS PASSED WITHOUT ME RECEIVING ANYTHING. I WENT BACK TO THE
STATION AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS STILL AN UNDERGOING INVESTIGATION. I COULDN’T
UNDERSTAND BECAUSE I PROVIDED THEM WITH ALL THE PROOF, THE TWO GUYS EVEN CONFESSED TO
RAPING ME. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY’LL CALL ME IN SEVEN DAYS TIME. SOMETHING WAS ODD. NONE
OF THIS MADE SENSE BUT I WENT HOME & AWAITED THEIR CALL. I WOULD CHECK MY PHONE EVERY
SINGLE MINUTE BUT NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING. THE ONLY THING THAT TOOK MY MIND OFF
EVERYTHING WAS MY FLOWER GARDEN. I WOULD WATER MY FLOWER GARDEN & MADE SURE I KEPT IT
CLEAN EVERY SINGLE DAY. ONE DAY IN THAT WEEK WHEN I WAS WATERING MY FLOWER GARDEN. I
HEARD VOICES I THOUGHT I RECOGNIZED. I HEARD PEOPLE MAKING NOISE , SINGING OUT LOUD. WHEN
I LIFTED MY HEAD I COULDN’T BELIEVE WHAT I WAS SEEING. THE PEOPLE THAT I THOUGHT WERE
BEHIND BARS WERE FREELY ROAMING THE STREETS. THOSE BASTARDS THAT RAPED ME WERE OUT. I
DON’T KNOW HOW BUT THEY WERE OUT. I RAN BACK INTO THE HOUSE BEFORE THEY COULD EVEN SEE
ME & LOCKED MYSELF BEFORE THEY COULD SEE ME. I WAS LIVING IN FEAR, MY TRAUMA GOT EVEN
WORSE. AS SOON AS THEY PASSEE MY HOUSE I DIDN’T WASTE TIME, I WENT STRAIGHT TO THE STATION
TO REPORT THE ISSUE AND WHEN I GOT THERE I COULDN’T BELIEVE WHAT THOSE FILTHY OFFICERS
TOLD ME. THEY TOLD ME THAT THOSE GUYS WERE DRUNK WHEN THEY CONFESSED SO THEY DIDN’T
MEAN ANYTHING THEY SAID , THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PROOF WASN’T EVEN CONCRETE SO THEY HAD
TO LET ME GO. I COULDN’T BELIEVE WHAT I WAS HEARING. I TOLD THEM EVERYTHING AGAIN ,
EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED THAT DAY & THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY CAN’T PROVE ANYTHING. THEY
SAID I SHOULD STOP WASTING THE STATE’S TIME WITH FALSE ACCUSATIONS. I WAS DEEPLY HURT. I
WAS CRYING MY LUNGS OUT TRYING TO CONVINCE THE POLICE OFFICERS TO ARREST THOSE GUYS
AGAIN BUT INSTEAD THEY TOLD ME THAT I AM CAUSING A SCENE AND THEY’LL BE FORCED TO ARREST
ME IF I DON’T LEAVE THE STATION. I REFUSED UNTIL THEY DRAGGED ME OUT. THEY FORCEFULLY
DRAGGED ME OUT OF THE STATION & LITERALLY THREW ME OUT. I WAS ON THE FLOOR WITH TEARS
ALL OVER MY FACE. THEY TOLD ME TO NEVER RETURN TO THE STATION IF I AM GOING TO WASTE THEIR
TIME. I PICKED MYSELF UP & TOLD THEM THAT I WAS NEVER GOING TO COME BACK, I TOLD THEM THAT
I WOULDN’T REST UNTIL JUSTICE WAS SERVED. I WENT BACK HOME HEARTBROKEN & IN PAIN. I WOULD
LOCK MYSELF IN THE HOUSE EVERY SINGLE DAY SCARED TO GO OUTSIDE. THE ONLY TIME I WENT OUT
WAS WHEN I WENT TO PEOPLE THAT I THOUGHT WOULD HELP ME WITH THE CASE. I WENT TO
DIFFERENT STATIONS BUT STILL COULDN’T GET HELP. I KEPT RECEIVING THE SAME TREATMENT. THE
POLICE OFFICERS WOULD EVEN CALL ME NAMES REMINDING ME THE PAIN THAT ALL THOSE GUYS PUT
ME THROUGH, REMINDING ME HOW MY BOYFRIEND TREATED ME. I COULDN’T GO OUT. I HAD NO ONE
TO TALK TO. I WAS ALWAYS IN FEAR THAT THEY MIGHT ATTACK ME AGAIN. I USED TO LIVE IN FEAR &
THE ANGER INSIDE ME WAS CONSTANTLY BUILDING UP. AND JUST WHEN I THOUGHT I WAS GOING
THROUGH A LOT I FOUND OUT I WAS PREGNANT. I DECIDED TO KEEP THE BABY EVEN THOUGH I DIDN’T
KNOW WHO THE FATHER WAS IN ALL THE 6 GUYS I STILL DECIDED TO KEEP THE BABY. IT WAS THE ONLY
THING THAT MADE SENSE. YES ANELE WAS CONCEIVED THROUGH RAPE BUT I LOVED MY SON. HE IS
THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME. I SWORE TO MYSELF THAT I WAS GOING TO PROTECT
THE BABY GROWING INSIDE ME WITH EVERYTHING I HAD. I WOULD SEE THOSE GUYS EVERY SINGLE DAY
UNTIL I COULDN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE. I HAD TO LEARN HOW TO DEFEND MYSELF INCASE THEY
ATTACKED AGAIN. I WENT FOR DEFENSE LESSONS. RAPE IN OUR COMMUNITY BECAME WORSE & THE
POLICE WEREN’T DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. SOMEONE HAD TO DO SOMETHING. TO CUT THE STORY
SHORT , I TOOK JUSTICE INTO MY OWN HANDS NANA. I AM THE DEATH PENALTY SERIAL KILLER. I AM
NOT COLD HEARTED. THE JUSTICE SYSTEM FAILED ME OVER & OVER AGAIN. SOMETHING HAD TO BE
DONE. I DON’T KILL INNOCENT PEOPLE. I STARTED WITH ALL SIX MEN THAT RAPED ME. I INTRODUCED
THE DEATH PENALTY IN MY OWN WAY. I MADE SURE ALL THOSE GUYS FELT THE PAIN I FELT WHEN THEY
PINNED ME DOWN & RAPED ME. I KILLED ALL OF THEM IN TWO WEEKS. SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN
TARGETING EVERYONE THAT IS SEXUALLY ASSAULTING PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY & SERVE THEM MY
JUSTICE. MY FLOWER GARDEN CONSISTS OF RED ROSES. THE SAME ROSES I LEAVE ON EVERY BODY. THE
SAME ROSE THAT MY SON PICKED TRYING TO IMPRESS YOU. I DIDN’T CHOOSE TO END UP HERE. THIS IS
THE 2ND TIME THE JUSTICE SYSTEM FAILS ME. I WANTED TO GET MY SON OUT OF THERE BECAUSE I
KNEW I WAS THE REAL SERIAL KILLER BUT NO MATTER HOW MUCH I TRIED I KNEW THEY WERE NOT
GOING TO LISTEN TO ME. MY SON HAD TO PAY THE PRICE. I HAD TO WATCH HIM PAY FOR MY SINS. IF IT
WASN’T FOR YOU MY SON WOULD STILL BE HERE. YOU CAUSED ME A LOT OF PAIN. YOU TOOK MY SON
AWAY FROM ME" Palesa was there looking at me probably feeling like she was dreaming. I was in tears.
She kept apologizing in a low toned voice but that just made things worse. I couldn’t just let her go. I got
up, looked at her in the eye and said “WE ARE EVEN NOW. YOU TOLD ME YOUR TRUTH & I TOLD YOU
MINE. SADLY I JUST CAN’T LET YOU GO. YOU HAVE TO FEEL WHAT MY SON WENT THROUGH. THIS IS
FOR HIM" I turned on the speaker & played the music out loud so that people couldn’t hear her scream.
I played my favourite gospel song (JESO RATO LA HAO) . then went to switch on the plug , she was
begging me not to do it , I looked at her one more time & said “GOODBYE PALESA" then switched it on.
She was tied with wires that contained a lot of volts. She was kicking & screaming. I grabbed a chair to
watch her going through all the pain that my son went through because of her. I was singing to the
gospel song in a low toned voice as I watched Palesa fighting for her life until she couldn’t anymore. I
was in tears when I remembered everything I went through. Me finally opening up opened my old
wounds. The pain still felt fresh. Also the whole Palesa scenery reminded me of my son’s death.
Watching her fight for her life reminded me exactly the day my son was fighting for his. She fought until
she couldn’t anymore, I watched her until she took her last kick. I was finally at peace. She was gone. I
went to take the last rose I picked later that day , the only rose that wasn’t dead. I put it on her body
then left the room to prepare myself for church. I had found the closure I needed. I went to church &
had a very good service. I felt like all the weight I was carrying in my heart was gone. I was really at
peace. It was the very first time I even smiled in a very long time. After the church service I walked back
home. I didn’t take a taxi back that day. I felt like walking. I was walking on the same route I was walking
on the day I got raped & attacked. I remembered everything like it was yesterday, I relived the rape
experience but that was the part of getting closure because I never walked on that route again since I
got raped until that day. I stopped walking when I got to the abandoned house where it all happened. I
stood there thinking about everything that happened to me in that house. It was hurtful but it was
worth it. I finally got home & few minutes after getting home I heard a knock on my door. When I
opened it was Thabo , a person that was part of my son’s pain. He told me that he came to check up on
me. I told him I was okay & needed to do something. I told him that I will tell him when I needed him.
There was guilt all over his face. I then closed the door so he could leave because I didn’t want to see
that child near me again. I watched him leave through the window. But before he could get to the gate. I
changed my mind. I called him & told him that I actually needed help with something. He returned , got
inside the house & I locked the door. THAT WAS THE LAST TIME HE WAS EVER SEEN ALIVE , HE NEVER
LEFT THAT HOUSE.
THE END.