The Big 5

15

Francis arrived at the home and found Gerry asleep on the couch. He hit his younger brother on the forehead and said “ oi forehead king I got some juicy info.”  As Gerry sat up and rubbed his eyes `` I was having a nice fat chocolate chip muffin when Mr. Khatombela, Mr. Jimbo, and Mr. Dambe walked in. Now I was seated far from them but they had some kind of meeting going on so you know I made myself a 007 agent and decided I needed to hear what they were talking about. They were talking about us and from what I heard we got the Dames and Khatombelas on our side, you sleepy bastard”. Gerry nodded his head and yawned and said “ I was never afraid of going to war with the Molefes but if what you're telling me is that I can have a shot at the old man so be it.”

Mr. Dambe walked into the hotel restaurant and told the lady at the reception that he was there for a meeting with Mr. Khatombela. He was led to the top floor where MrKhatombelas office was located. “ good evening Chris” “ good evening Boago”. They sat and had a glass of wine whilst they were waiting. “ What time should we expect him?” asked Mr. Dambe. “ In 30 minutes, you know he is very strict and punctual with regards to time,” said Mr. Khatombela. Then the receptionist knocked on the door and said “ Mr. Khatombela there's a Mr. Molefe here to see you”. Mr. Khatombela then motioned to let him in. He then walked in and shook everyone's hand and sat down. “ Mr. Molefe we have heard that you have declined to be the provider of funds for Ray's deal. I am simply here to humbly request that you change your mind and maybe reconsider,” said Mr. Dambe. Mr. Molefe looked around the room and stayed silent. There was an awkward silence in the room before Mr. Khatombela flew into a fit of rage and said “  Dammit Godfrey! I looked the other way when your boys shafted my son and now I'm asking that you do this for me as a favor, besides it's not like you'd be giving him money, it’s a goddamn loan with interest! Interest!.” Mr. Molefe took a deep breath and then said “ I hear your pleas gentlemen but remember that at the end of the day this is my decision to make. Now I will tell you guys what I told Ray. This is a great idea however if we look at it already the Khosa supplied drugs that Ray sells have already flooded high schools and this is causing unrest amongst parents and giving my political associates headaches. Need I remind anyone that it is those people that also look away when your business dealings are brought into question. Besides I could never sleep peacefully at night knowing that my money is the reason why there are drug addicts and ruined futures.” Mr. Khatombela then sat back down and said “ well then I will not be held liable for any mishaps that could befall you sir”. Mr. Molefe raised his eyebrows before he said “ you want to end 35 years of peace over a d*******l” before Mr. Dambe said “ gentlemen let's all calm down, okay, we're here to discuss a way forward not fight” “ my decision is final guys. I'm sorry if it's not the one you want but we can’t always get what we want” said Mr. Molefe “ we may not get what we want as you say but that also means people get hurt. Especially in this business” said Mr. Khatombela. “ I would think long and hard about what I'd say and do next if I were you Christopher.” said Mr. Molefe. “ Maybe we all gotta calm down and have a nice big fat turkey and talk about other things other than business, we are friends after all” said Mr. Dambe in a desperate attempt to keep the peace. “ Nah I think I’ll pass. You don’t live as long as I have by eating food from the same person that threatened you, I wouldn’t want to suffer some kind of accident” said Mr. Molefe who got up and left. “ you do know the idea was to try to get him to reconsider not piss him off Chris'' lamented Mr. Dambe `` Boago, that guy was never going to change his mind” retorted MrKhatombela “ yeah well now he knows you're going to try something and hell expect it. You do know you can't go to war with the Molefe family” said Mr. Dambe “ why is everyone afraid of them, just like every other family they have problems and weaknesses and they can be beaten. Mike Tyson looked unbeatable till he met Douglas'' said a defiant Mr. Khatombela. “ look I will talk to you in the morning when you're calm” said Mr. Dambe as he left.

Mr. Molefe made a stop by Mark Tsipiyagae’s apartment on his way home. He knocked on the door and Mark answered. “ Good evening Mark, I hope I'm not disturbing,” said Mr. Molefe to which Mark shook his head. “ I need you to go undercover, see the Khatombela family has me concerned a bit. I suspect they might try something, well them and the Xhosas. I want you to go undercover and have the Khatombelas think you're looking to change sides. I don’t know you could tell them you're unhappy or something” “ okay boss” replied Mark.

“ you know I prefer dealing with his father. The kid is something else. Where is the Robert” asked an impatient Gerry. “ hell be here,” said Robert. Robert, Ray, and Gerry waited another 15 minutes before Obakeng arrived. “ you're late,” said an exasperated Ray. All 4 men drove to the Molefe mansion and parked a block away from the house and Gerry watched the Mansion through binoculars. “ Mr. Molefe usually leaves for the office at different times of the day but it is given that he will go to the office on weekdays. Sometimes he goes with his sons Tom and Sean, other times Brutus and Themba, sometimes all 4 of them. However, there are times where it’s just Mr. Molefe” said Ray “ you mean with his security detail,” asked Robert. Ray nodded at this. “ so far I’m not picking any movement ……….  Wait it looks they are leaving. Alright, everything in their routine is just like what Patrick’s friend said. There's no weakness here gentlemen. Maybe we will find something when they get to the office. Head straight to their office but make sure they don’t spot us” said Gerry. “ we will change cars on the way so they don’t get suspicious,” said Robert.  They drove to a warehouse and changed to a van that looked similar to one of the businesses that operated in the same block as the one where Mr. Molefe office was located. They drove to MarMoles office and stacked out the office. After waiting for about 4 hours Gerry spotted something. “ Hey guys who is the name of that guy in the tracksuit,” asked Ray “ that must be Lewis,” said Ray. “ well I noticed that before Mr. Molefe comes out he comes out first and speaks to the guards before the car is brought around before he goes back inside.” Said Gerry “ he is the guy Patricks guy called the ‘coordinator’”. They all looked at him dumbfounded before Obakeng finally said “ he does what coordinates the security detail” “ Yeah looks like it” said Robert. “ Well let's take him out then, I'm sure they wouldn’t be as efficient without him,” said Ray. “ Nah Patrick’s friend said that taking him out won’t give us a clean shot at the old man, even if