The following interview is with Puleng Khumalo, who is a minor.
Present are her parents as well as Julius Khumalo's attorney Lindsay Abel.
So you only have a photocopy of the DNA results?
And the man actually never admitted to falsifying the original results?
He nodded.
He nodded?
But he already lied about the results once when someone allegedly paid him.
How do you know he didn't lie to get what he wanted from you?
Because I saw the texts between him and Mrs. Bhele.
Do you have proof of these texts?
Maybe a picture.
So you're telling me you have no evidence despite all the, uh,
investigations you've supposedly done?
What are you trying to imply, Detective Vaans?
I'm sorry, but this doesn't make sense.
The young girl just stumbles upon her abducted sister--
Watch your tone.
You understand the implications of wasting state resources?
With all due respect, sir…
I didn't stumble upon anything.
I've been investigating this for months,
following leads that you… that you've neglected for years.
If you don't believe me, ask Wade.
Or Fikile.
Bhele?
Well,
we'll, uh,
be in touch.
I should take my leave too.
Thank you.
Fikile?
What do you think?
I hate that Dad thinks I'm his real daughter.
You are his real daughter, sweetheart.
You've always been ours.
I've given all my love to you.
It is deep, my child.
What can I do to make things better?
Tell him everything.
Or I will.
Okay.
What did Puleng say?
She said she'd give me time to talk to you, so,
relax.
Your lie is safe.
For now.
I need to know you understand why things have to stay this way.
How could you be a part of this?
What kind of sick person would do something like this?
If…
if I do what you're asking me to do,
you cannot imagine what those people would do to us.
They are ruthless and unpredictable.
You mean the people that steal and sell babies?
You're working for traffickers.
You're a trafficker.
I was a kid with nobody until they gave me a home and a future.
I was making decisions
to survive before I even understood what they would really mean.
You want me to tell you something…
that makes sense to you.
But, Samuel…
…you've always had me.
You will never…
never know what it is like to be completely alone.
To have yourself to rely on.
Everything I've done, I've done
for us
and the baby.
Patience, my son.
Where the hell did you get that, now?
Mind your language, son.
Have you forgotten I follow you on the socials?
Please turn it off, Dad.
You know, these lyrics are what we call defamation of character
and have gotten some people into some real S-H-I-T.
Lawyering aside,
sounds like you're going through some ish.
Look, I know I've been very hard on you lately.
But I like the fact that you talk to me about your personal stuff.
Yeah, it doesn't matter now anyway.
Puleng and I are over.
Well, personally,
I've never really trusted that girl's intentions.
Maybe it's a good thing.
Oh really? Since when?
Weren't you the one who told me she's a keeper?
Breakfast?
I'm not hungry. Oh, and I'm taking the bus.
Actually, I was thinking maybe you could take the day off from school.
It's exam time, Mom.
Puleng?
Your dad and I are very proud of you.
But?
Look, I appreciate what you've done for your sister.
I can't help but think of what could have happened to you.
Nothing happened.
You were going into dangerous places unattended.
Going through peoples' devices without permission, breaking…
What if we lost you too?
I'm here, Mom.
I've always been here.
Can I go to school now?
Of course. Uh, Puleng,
I was thinking
that maybe after all of this is done, we, as a family,
perhaps can go into counseling.
-We need to start being more open. -Do you really wanna go there?
What is that supposed to mean?
I have to go.
I wish we didn't have exams today.
Why? Um, what happened?
So I spoke to my mom last night.
And she confirmed everything.
She did tamper with the DNA test.
And I'm most probably Puleng's missing sister.
Well, that's…
that's something.
Why do I feel like shit?
'Cause it sucks finding out your mom's keeping crazy secrets.
Hey. What's up?
It's nothing.
Okay.
I'll see you later?
Yeah.
Okay.
"Discuss the stateless society of the Bantu people."
"Discuss the…"
Are you thinking about Fikile and KB?
Now I am.
I just can't believe that he kissed her while we were together.
You know, before we--
He's an idiot.
Anyway,
I've, uh, I've told my parents everything.
Even the police are involved now, so…
Everything as in everything?
Well…
Tahira?
Tahira, wait. Tahira, wait.
-Whatever you think is happening-- -Drop the act, Puleng.
-You never liked Wade and I together. -That's not true.
I hope you're happy now.
Yeah, we broke up.
Sad part?
Wade's a really, really smart guy except when it comes to you.
Wait, Tahira.
What are you talking about?
We broke up because of you.
He won't move on if he thinks there's a chance with you.
Stop being selfish and messing him around if you don't like him back.
I'm sorry, but there's no easy way to say this on a call.
Between the incident with the swim coach, the protection order issued by the Bheles,
the drug issue, and now a teacher suddenly resigning,
as the governing body, we're worried.
We want a hearing with you at the end of the term
to discuss matters of management at the school.
Nicole, this really is your opportunity to prepare.
Of course. Thank you.
I'm so sorry about that, detectives.
You were saying?
-Oh, that is awesome. -Mm-hmm.
Ah, she lives.
Hmm.
Thanks for ditching the committee on one of the most important events, Fiks.
Uh, I'm sorry.
I… I fell asleep and took some meds, and I passed out.
Why didn't you keep me posted?
I said I'm sorry, Chris.
You barely get sick, Fiks.
And it was one night. One night.
I would have been there for you.
Hey, Wendy, here's my bid. It's better than last night, eh?
Come on. It's 50 cents more than the zero bid you got last night.
Hey, you fuck! Okay, someone did actually bid for her.
You know what?
Take that, and go buy your mother another womb.
Maybe she'll have better luck next time.
Move.
Oh, and Mini Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma
took your place at the auction last night. It was shite.
Poor thing embarrassed the living shit out of herself.
Wendy?
Wendy.
I'm sorry I skipped out on you last night. I was sick.
KB…
did you seriously out us kissing?
I'm sorry, Fiks. I…
I wasn't thinking.
Whatever.
Okay, grade 11, settle down.
You probably wonder why I'm here
and not Mr. Ferreira.
In short, Mr. Ferreira has resigned with immediate effect.
So, for today, I will stand in for the exams.
Excuse me, Mrs. Joffe. Class.
Puleng, Wade, please come with me.
-Uh, Sir? Sorry, sir. -Oh!
Um, please, can I ask why Mr. Ferreira resigned?
Oh, don't worry. Everything will be fine.
The number you have dialed is unavailable at present.
Please try again later.
The two girls, how did they find out about the lab test?
I was tricked, I swear. I thought they were harmless.
You thought?
Then I think…
this should cut it.
This is not how much we agreed on.
Another word from that spineless gutter you call a mouth,
and I swear I will show you… Do you hear me?
Leave town, now.
I was thinking maybe if…
Reece, nice of you to show up.
Chris, you were saying?
Um, yeah, I was… I was thinking for our Afrofuturism theme,
we can have an African-inspired steampunk setup.
Isn't that just giving yet to another Western concept?
Where is Africa in all of this?
As young Africans, we need to reclaim our identity.
So, what do you suggest?
For me, Afrofuturism is us as Africans just occupying
and normalizing our individual expressions of our cultures,
our everyday attire…
You know, just complete African supremacy.
Yeah. Yeah!
Hashtag Wakanda, huh?
The signature on Fikile's birth certificate
belongs to Ms. Brenda Jaxa.
When I went to Pollsmoor Prison…
When I went to visit Pollsmoor Prison, she confirmed that she… she forged, um,
many, many birth certificates.
You also accompanied Puleng to Lavender Hill
to speak to Mr. Koopman, the retired detective.
Yes, sir. Yes, yes, I did.
Um…
I couldn't let her go alone, sir.
Cheesy, I know, but with the best-dressed competition,
it will just inspire all matriculants to invest more in their attire.
Agreed.
Moving on. Uh, the budget sheet.
Wait. Reece, why is this budget sheet
not updated with all the line items from last night's auction?
Earth to Reece and Fikile!
Why is the budget sheet not updated?
Sorry, I'll do it after this.
So what's the balance, then?
Uh, um…
hundred and nine grand.
What? So we made 9,000 more?
Then we're getting the PA system that my mom uses for political events.
Debit card.
Uh…
Oh shit. Sorry.
Um, I forgot it at home.
It's fine, um,
just make the payment for the PA system on behalf of Wendy as soon as possible.
Wendy, send her the link.
Excuse me. I, um…
…I need the bathroom.
Excuse me, sorry, Fikile?
You've been called to the principal's office.
I guess the meeting's been adjourned.
Wait, Wade.
I'm sorry I had to reveal all that stuff to your mom.
I'm just glad it's over.
Yeah.
Um, I heard that you and Tahira broke up.
Wade…
was it because of me?
Maybe.
You can go.
Puleng, stay.
Girls, both of you wait here.
Why the hell are the police here, Puleng?
-I've been trying to call you all morning. -Well, obviously not hard enough.
Why are you in my periphery?
Just wanna make sure you're coming to the celebrations tonight.
I don't do your crowd.
Me neither. It would practically be incest.
Ew, that's gross. That's not what I meant.
Wendy, come on, you're co-chair. Besides, you owe me a date.
I paid handsomely for your bid.
Okay, fine, I'll come to your stupid celebration.
I should warn you.
Not answering truthfully will be seen as interfering in a state investigation.
Again,
was the DNA test tampered with by your mother or not?
We need you to say it.
Yes.
So you are Phumelele Khumalo?
I'm Fikile Bhele.
My mother adopted me legally.
But around the same time you were adopted,
news about the missing baby Phume was all over the media.
Fikile, my girl,
surely you know that your mother knows something about it?
Fikile?
What was that? You lied in there.
Are you fucking kidding me? I thought we had a deal, Puleng.
-We did but-- -But what?
Is this about KB's track?
About the kiss?
Is that why you did this?
Do you really think I'd betray you for something that petty?
-Then why? -My dad is still on trial for this.
What would you do if it was you, hmm?
I love my parents, Fikile.
Just as much as you love yours.
I won't apologize for that.
Hey, yo.
Celebration's later on tonight.
Reece?
What's wrong with you?
First you forget to update the budget sheet,
then you practically froze and lied to Wendy about the debit card.
-What's up with that? -Ferreira skipped town.
Yeah, he resigned.
No, he skipped town with our money.
What are you talking about?
He stole the committee's money, Chris.
What?
How?
So you know I was
raking it in with my side business?
Well, I was, um…
I was seriously raking it in, and I couldn't keep everything at home.
And if I opened an account,
how would I explain where all of the money was coming from?
What did you do, Reece?
I spoke to Ferreira, and he suggested that I should launder the money.
He basically threatened me.
-Fucking ass. -Come on, Reece!
Please don't tell me you mixed your money with the money in the committee's account.
It was a genius idea, Chris.
Okay, I was going to take it out eventually.
I didn't know that Ferreira was a snake, and now he's gone with everything.
Shit, Reece!
And Wendy…
I put you on as treasurer. I vouched for you.
I never tried to take anything from the committee, I promise.
That doesn't matter now. We… we have to go to the police.
I can't!
I'll have to tell them I was selling drugs. Please, Chris.
Okay, fine.
No police, then.
But you'll have to do something much worse.
You'll have to tell Wendy.
The police were at school today.
I thought you said…
…you and Puleng had a deal.
Mama, if we're gonna deal with this soon,
we need to do it as a family.
So you have to tell Dad.
Yeah. Yeah, sweetheart. I will.
Was that the police just now?
Um, without saying too much,
Fikile's life is changing right before her eyes,
and I don't know how she's going to handle it.
Mm, I'll follow up.
Detective Vaans speaking.
Hello, Detective.
M… my name is Janet Nkosana,
and I'd like to come in and speak with you immediately.
This is regarding the…
uh, the Khumalo baby.
I cannot believe what I heard today, Wade,
this nonsense you got up to with Puleng.
Eh, it wasn't nonsense, Mommy.
She was looking for her sister. I wanted to help Puleng.
By visiting a maximum security prison?
Breaking into the bursar's office or going on escapades to dangerous places?
The worst thing is I knew nothing about this.
How do I know you two aren't up to something else?
We're not, Mommy, I swear.
I really hope there's nothing else, Wade, because…
Don't forget.
You are not like those other kids at Parkhurst
whose parents can buy their way out of anything.
I might be the principal of the school, but we could lose everything
if we step on the wrong toes.
So, what do you think?
It's not what you expected, right?
When you said we must meet you at GrandWest,
I thought you were taking us to some nightclub filled with drunks
and identity-hungry teenagers, but this will pass.
Mm, finally!
What took you so long, bitch?
Mm! Have a seat. Have a seat.
-Uh-uh. Reece, come on. -Hm? Mm.
Oh, fuck you, man.
-Did you get the link that I sent? -Hm?
Tell me you made payment.
Um, sorry, no business talk, at least not until we're on Reece's level.
To a great night and new friends.
Tahira, so they say you wanna…
So what you're looking for is…
Hey, guys.
Uh, where's Fiks?
Where's KB? I haven't seen him.
Or maybe the two of them are--
Uh, how do you still not know
that your girlfriend makes a point of being fashionably late?
And KB's studying.
Mm, whatever.
Can I pour you a glass?
You guys do know it's all-you-can-drink, right?
Okay. Slow down, Chris.
It's bubbles.
Come on. We came out to party, right?
Yes! Yes!
Tahira, let's go!
-Whoo! -Okay.
Nwabi, I just heard on the radio…
Are you okay?
It's just a headache.
Sorry, sweetheart. Listen, we might have load shedding.
I want to switch on the generator. I'll be back.
Listen, we've run out of petrol.
It's all gone. And why on earth aren't you answering…
Nwabi?
Nwabisa?
Oh please.
-Hello?
-Yeah, uh, come in.
-Shh!
I didn't do anything wrong.
Detective Captain Vaans, and this is Detective Sergeant Petersen.
-Mr. Bhele? -Yes.
What's this about?
You are under arrest for kidnapping and aiding in human trafficking.
-What?
I need you to trust me.
We're gonna be okay.
Hey! What's going on?
-I did not do anything wrong, Bhelekazi. -Just tell them it's a mistake, okay?
Nwabi? Nwabisa?
-Do you believe me? Please! -I'm sorry, Ma.
No! Please leave my dad alone!
Calm down, Ms. Bhele.
-Okay. -No, please! Listen…
Leave my husband out of this.
He's innocent.
Nwabisa, what's going on with you?
Put the gun down, Mrs. Bhele, please.
I'm not leaving without my daughter.
-Mama. -Nwabisa, please don't.
Really?
Forgive me, my love.
Mrs. Bhele, don't!
-I made a mistake. -Mama!
Relax. She's fine. Come on, let's go play.
You don't know how to bowl?
I can literally tell you all the capital cities
of every country, along with the presidents.
And yet, you don't know how to bowl.
Come on. I'll teach you.
Of course I do.
You're so annoying.
Tell me something.
How do you do it?
How do you manage to go through school when you party all the time?
When do you get to go home and work and to spend time with family?
Did I hit a nerve?
Home is what you make it, Wendy.
My… my parents are in Mumbai.
I… I think.
Before that, they were in…
…I'm not even gonna try to pronounce it because it doesn't matter.
I… I see them maybe once a year for Hanukkah if I'm lucky.
I'm so sorry, Chris.
-I didn't mean-- -It's fine.
As for school,
well, if you're a genius, you don't really have to work hard.
Wendy, I need to tell you something.
Right now?
Yes.
The money is gone.
All of it.
What?
How?
-Um, she's not really sure. Um… -Uh…
You know, it's easy as clicking a fraudulent link
to an email or message, and everything is gone.
All that money down the drain. You know what? I need another drink.
I'm sorry. I couldn't get myself to tell her everything.
You know Wendy. She'll wanna dig deeper.
Mrs. Bhele?
Mrs. Bhele, if you come out peacefully, we can work this out.
Mrs. Bhele?
We need to know that you're okay.
If you don't say anything, we will need to come in by force.
-I want to speak to Fikile.
Mrs. Bhele, let's just try--
-I want to speak to my daughter!
Please just let me talk to her?
Mama.
What's up?
Your Uncle Brian and Aunt Nwabisa are being arrested.
Where are my keys?
Is Fiks okay?
She's the one who told me. She said something about a gun.
I don't know what's going on.
I'm coming.
No, study.
Okay? I'll let you know once I know more.
No, Dad.
The Bheles are family, and Fiks is my best friend.
Also, I haven't lost my car keys.
Okay, let's go.
You're all…
…I've ever wanted.
She needs to come out of there now for her own good
before this goes all wrong.
Um, Mama, I called Uncle Matla. He's on his way, okay?
I want you to know…
…that your father and I
wanted you so much.
I know, Mama.
I didn't do anything illegally.
Mama, please just come out of the room.
Do you believe me, Bhelekazi?
She needs to come out now. We can't keep waiting.
Do you believe me, Bhelekazi?
I believe you.
-You're Mama.
You took me to swimming lessons.
Taught me how to do my hair and makeup.
And right now, I'm looking at my dad.
He taught me to be a winner.
And when I had chicken pox,
he stayed home with me for a whole week just to take care of me.
But, Mama, if you don't come out right now,
the whole world is gonna believe what they're saying about you.
Mama, please open the door.
Mama, please!
Please open the door.
Mr. Molapo!
We need a comment.
Mr. Molapo, is there anything else you wanna tell us?
You're not going in. Wait for me in the car.
They won't allow you in there.
But, Dad, I need to--
This isn't the time to argue.
-Mr. Molapo! -Please.
-I need a comment. -Is there anything else you wanna tell us?
Thank goodness you are here.
I don't understand what's happening.
It's okay. I'll take care of things.
Nwabisa, don't say a word until I get to the police station.
Do you understand?
-I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry! -What's going on?
You're hurting me, man!
Please tell them to stop this!
Tell them my mom and dad did nothing wrong.
It's okay, my dear. I'll take care of it.
Come spend the night with us.
-Karabo is in the car. -Okay.
I see Fikile's in the school swimming team.
Yeah. She aims to go to the Olympics one day.
-The Olympics? -Yeah. That's when Chad was around.
I don't know about that anymore.
Who's Chad?
Long story.
You know, you used to love the water when you were younger.
But it seems like your love for words was stronger.
So… …Fikile and her parents…
…what's she like with them?
If you're asking if she loves them, then
yeah, she does.
A lot.
About this morning,
I didn't mean to upset you.
I was merely suggesting that as a family, we should get some professional help.
-Keeping things in is not healthy. -You seem to be fine.
There you go again.
-What is that supposed to mean? -I know you cheated on Dad, Mom.
Are you going to deny it? Like you've been doing this whole time.
It was a long time ago.
You persecuted Ubaba for a crime that he didn't even commit.
Meanwhile, you've been--
-I don't have time. I have to study. -Puleng, can we-- Can--
So like, what?
You're a Khumalo now?
They still have to do some tests to make sure, but
yeah.
Puleng and I are most probably definitely sisters.
This is insane.
I've been thinking.
Whatever the results…
I'm a Bhele.
It's who I am.
What about my dad?
Did he know about this the whole time?
Puleng and I found some messages between him and my mom, so…
Why wasn't he implicated?
The arrest was for kidnapping.
And Wade?
Why was he interviewed?
Apparently, he was, like,
Puleng's investigator sidekick the entire time.
This whole time?
Your boyfriend is here to see you.
KB.
What are you doing here?
-Mom says you have five minutes-- -Siya.
Get out, please.
I won't be long.
Fiks told me everything.
Even about Wade and how he's been helping you.
That's why you two were always together, right? Hanging out?
Why didn't you tell me?
It doesn't matter now.
Yeah, but I accused you of doing all those things behind my back.
I didn't know how to tell you, KB.
Your dad is the Bheles' lawyer.
I still would have supported you. You're my--
Were my girlfriend.
Anyway,
I just wanted to say sorry for…
What?
KB?
This is a photo of my mom, Puleng. Why do you have it?
Why?