TurfWars-Criminal Underworld

Meanwhile...

Stinger Road was narrow and small, it barely had space to pass through with all the cars parked outside. Smiles did not like living far from his people, the community he grew up in. As much as he had made close to millions in his drug trade and earned him the status of Lord in Pietermaritzburg, he still insisted that he lived where his people lived in Imbali and not Wembley, this is why they loved him. This is why they respected him, this is why they feared him. It made sense as to why the narrow street that drove up to his house was packed with cars and people. All had come, all had felt the pain of Mandisa and all wanted to pay their respect to the late Lord of the place they call home. At the entrance of the road two cars parked, facing different directions. One blocked the road from cars creating what looked like a roadblock and tollgate at the same time. The other parked just by its side, the extra security. In each car sat two men, and each car had an extra man just outside, all men were armed. They rotated as the winter nights of Pietermaritzburg were not forgiving. A car pulled over and the two outside men approached it. They immediately recognised the car as one of their own. It was Spanner’s. Sphamandla “Spanner” Makhado, was Smile’s second in command. Guess he was now in charge. This did not bring him peace; his newfound status and power was the envy of all. This drew evil eyes to him, eyes that wanted blood, his blood. He didn’t say much as they approached the cars blocking the entrance, moving out the way they drove past under scrutinising eyes. “What are the boys saying?” Spanner asked his driver Mlungisi “About what?” Asked the driver in return. Spanner did not respond to that. The car parked a few meters from Smiles’ house, “wait here”, said the new lord as he got out of the car and walked the rest of the way, crouched low as his stylish fur jacket helped keep the cold away from his skeleton frame. Spanner did not believe you had to dress like a gangster to play the part. A lover of fine things and the lavish life. He looked more like a model, stylish and blinged from head to toe, taking inspiration from Italian designers and supermodel from across the world. He was smart and this was the gift that made him survive the game this long, long enough to find himself in this tight spot.

He entered the yard and attempted to walk straight, he figured he needed to show strength and command. At the entrance, he greeted a group of old men that had gathered around a fire. The old men acknowledged the gangster’s greetings and continued their conversation. Spanner entered the three-bedroom house through the front door and into a hallway that had the kitchen on his right and to his left another hallway that led to the bedrooms. The bedroom dead ahead was where Mandisa, Smile’s widowed wife would be. In front of him sat a set of stairs that led down to the sitting area. He greeted those sitting in the house and turned left heading for the bedroom where his late boss’ wife would be. Knocking, silently he waited for a response and entered the dimly lit room where a few candles generated the lighting. Greeting everyone, this time all ladies. He called on Mandisa as she sat on a mattress, as is the cultural custom called for a widow to do in this part of the world. She motioned for everyone to clear the room.

“Tell me,” Asked Mandisa getting straight to business as she stood up from her mattress to face Spanner.

“Still nothing,” he answered disappointedly. “What are you telling me?” asked Mandisa. Spanner told her that no one according to his findings saw who pulled the trigger that killed her husband, and no one had come forward with any news. Strange thought Mandisa, her husband’s reputation would have brought these scumbags to their knees, yet they had the guts to do what they did. “It had to be one of our rivals, the East maybe, have you checked on them?” asked Mandisa in an angry and desperate tone.

 “I sent someone to look into that they should-”

“Why are you so hesitant in your approach Spha? You treat this case as if we are looking for a little criminal who has stolen our merchandise.” Spannar’s head stayed low, the disappointment written all over his face. “Sis I was just-”

“Listen here,” Interrupted Mandisa “They hit one of us, and they hit us hard, they went and knocked the general himself, the commander in chief, we are not going to lay down and take it, are we? We hit back. Find out who fucked us up and fuck them up, Gazi for gazi, blood for blood, Old Testament.” A knock on the door broke the tense conversation. The door opened and a crack of light crept through, with it the big head of Spannar’s driver and lackey Mlungisi. “What?” Asked Spanner, annoyed and irritated by the disturbance. “We got news,” Mlungisi responded in fear. Spanner approached the boy as Mandisa returned to her mattress to sit down. The boy whispered in Spanner’s ear and upon finishing he nodded him away. He gently closed the door and turned, he stared for a while as Mandisa was fixing herself. In the dim light, he could see that the young wife of his late boss was beautiful as she was ferocious. 15 years younger than Smiles she is what you call a “trophy wife”, those that did not know her would not know that she was more than just beauty, Her brains set her apart from the rest, Spanner knew that she would try to take her late husband’s throne, another fight, but not now, this one he could win without fighting. “What is it?” Mandisa asked. The question brought him back to the present. “Just something I have to take care of, so I’ll have to excuse myself.” He started to open the door as the voice of Mandisa said “Remember, Gazi for Gazi, Blood for Blood.”

In the car, Spanner sat, deep in thought. The new message had changed everything he thought. “Boss where to?” asked Mlungisi. “Home” responded Spanner as he pulled out his phone and called someone.

*The story continues, keep turning the page*