Chapter 19: Money Talks

…continued from 28 May 2026...

“It is, and if we fuck it up, it could cost us our lives and the lives of our children,” said Johan.

 “Okay you have my undivided attention,” responded Ian.

 Johan explained his plan to offer, via the gang bosses, every eligible, voter on the Cape Flats, the sum of R1000 rand for voting in the up-coming election.

“The problem I have, where I need your advice, is on how to dispense the money and to make sure it is used for the right purpose.”

 “Tricky” said Shawn

 “Very” said Ian

“You’re dealing with a bunch of untrustworthy killers and thieves who would sooner kill their own mothers, than honour agreements,” said Ian.

 “Not so fast,” said Shawn, “there is honour among thieves.”

 “My thinking is that we somehow have to find a way to get the gangsters to take a public political stand… so as to legitimise their sudden interest in politics,” said Johan.

He looked over at Ian and sensed that he was thinking hard. Ian had once been a brilliant strategist for a local airline, until the drugs got the better of him.

“But how are we going to achieve that?” asked Shawn

 “Well, I was…” Johan began.

 “I’ve got it,” Ian interrupted.

 “We need to arrange a public fall out, or drama between one or more of the gang-leaders involving a political incident,” said Ian.

 “What the hell are you talking about?” asked Shawn.

“Like this man,” said Ian. “We make sure Stanley gets arrested or something for something political, something because he is Coloured. Like he could be arrested by some white cops one night, when he is having dinner with his white girlfriend.”

Johan began to see what Ian was getting at.

 “And then?” asked Shawn still not convinced.

“Well, we engineer something similar with Malik Sufyan. Like we create and incident with his daughter, apparently, he loves her to bits. So, we can create a racial incident involving his daughter being prejudiced at school…”

“Ja but…” Shawn tried to interrupt.

 “Wait,” said Johan, “I want to see where he is going with this.”

  “Whitey will be the easiest, because his boyfriend is black, we could easily upset him.”

 “Ja but…” Shawn insisted.

 “But what?”

 “What is the point?

“The point is that we make sure theses incidents are very public, we also make sure it gets into the papers. Then we make sure Elaine comments on the incidents, and that she calls for the gang leaders to rally behind her, to support her in the elections.”

 Johan began to smile.

 “Given the combustible nature of the gangsters, the media will not be surprised by rash statements like “we will pay the people to vote for you Elaine”.

 Shawn, smiled even wider.

 “So, the gedagte is to make it look like this was all their own doing,” said Shawn

“What do you think Hannie?” “Can it work?” asked Ian

“I like the idea very much, however, for it to work; we must make absolutely certain that the gangsters have no idea that we are pulling the strings, regarding the racial incidents. We can let them in on the secret afterwards. But for the plan to be successful, their wrath and indignation must be real,” replied Johan.

 “But won’t they smell a rat?” asked Shawn

“I’m sure they’ll realise what’s going on eventually, and they’ll know that its part of my plan, as will Elaine. But what this does is it allows both parties to claim no knowledge of the other’s involvement.” 

“It’s still dangerous. If it comes out that the incidents were trumped up, we might be forced to take drastic steps,” came Shawn’s retort.

“I agree. That’s why, Shawn, you have to co-ordinate the events via third parties. I don’t want any of us anywhere near, or connected to anyone near the incidents when they happen,” said Johan.

“I hear you,” said Shawn

Continued tomorrow 30 May 2026, before 12pm