I am. My intuition tells me that the last born is not mine. I want to clear it up once and for all,” said Thami.
“What about the other two? Why are you not supporting them?”
“I am sorry for my behaviour. This whole thing has affected me deeply and I am aware that I haven’t been making good decisions.”
“Did it affect you to the extent that you failed to support your own children?”
“Yes. I guess so.”
“So you want a paternity test?” asked Counsellor Dube.
“Yes, that’s what I want. I want to clear my doubts. And if in fact I am the father, I will happily support my child.”
“You are a liar! You are not doing this for the sake of the children,” interrupted Thuli angrily, looking at Thami like she could plunge her long nails into his face.
“Mrs Maphela, let’s –”
“Please, call me Thuli. I no longer want to be associated with his surname.”
“Okay, Thuli. We assure you that this court will do everything in its power to make sure that your children are well looked after,” said Counsellor Dube, trying to calm her down.
“Why are you running away from your responsibilities?” shouted Thuli impatiently, turning on Thami, her eyes searching his face. “You might as well forget about it. I don’t need your money. You can keep your dirt. The children and I can survive without your help. You must forget about us, we don’t need you in our lives anymore.”
Counsellor Dube looked at her watch. “I’m just going next door to consult the magistrate,” she said, standing up with some papers in her hand. “I’ll be back in a minute. I want you two to behave when I’m gone. Don’t shout at each other inside my office.”
Not a single word was spoken between Thuli and Thami while Counsellor Dube was out of the room. They even shied away from looking at each other. Thami’s eyes remained downcast; Thuli tapped her fingers on the table rhythmically. They remained like that until Counsellor Dube returned ten minutes later.
“Both of you will be appearing before the magistrate in room four in about thirty minutes,” said Counsellor Dube. “I had thought that this was only about maintenance, but it is obviously more complex than that. I don’t have the authority to order a paternity test, but the magistrate has. Oh …” She paused as if trying to soften the blow that was to come. “The unfortunate part of it is that all five of you … I mean you and your three children, will all have to undergo the test. We want to compare all your DNA and make sure that the outcome of the test is a hundred per cent correct. Are there any questions that either of you would like to ask?”
Thuli shook her head. “No. I am sorry, but I can’t subject my children to this torture because he has some crazy idea that our last born is not his.”
“Unfortunately,” said Counsellor Dube, “the matter is now in the hands of this court. And this court is required by law to resolve any matters brought before it.”
Thirty minutes later Thami and Thuli appeared in front of the magistrate. The hearing lasted only ten minutes as Thami maintained his original position. A court order was issued by the magistrate requiring Thami and Thuli, as well as their three children, to go to the nearest laboratory and have their blood taken. The next court date was in two weeks’ time.
24HOURS
Thami tried to catch the waitress’s attention by waving his right hand. He was thirsty for another beer. As soon as the waitress came, he gave her a fifty-rand note and ordered two Castle Lager quarts. Most people were watching the derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
“Pirates have to win this game if they are serious about winning the league this year,” said Thami.
“I think today is Pirates’ day, man. They are playing well.”
The waitress came with two beers and put them on their table. Vusi opened one of the bottles with his teeth. “The next round will be on me,” he said as he poured beer into his glass.
“Thanks, man,” said Thami and laughed sadly. “Very soon I’ll not be able to afford to buy you a beer, my friend. All my money will be going on maintenance.”
“When are you going to know the outcome of all of this?” asked Vusi.
“The day after tomorrow.”
“What are you going to do if it turns out that all the children are yours?”
“I’m ready for any result, man. Whatever comes, I’ll have to act like a man.”
Friday morning
Magistrate Zodwa Khumalo was to preside over the court proceedings. Their case was due to start at nine o’clock, but both Thami and Thuli arrived early. Thuli was accompanied by her mother and her best friend. Thami had come with Vusi. There were already about twenty people seated on the benches inside the courtroom. Everybody remained quiet.
“This is the case of paternity between Thami and Thuli Maphela,” said Magistrate Khumalo after clearing her throat. “May the two parties step forward, please.”
Vusi gave his friend a big wink and raised his thumb.
“We will start with Leleti Maphela, a female, born on 17 July 1997. For the case of paternity you brought before this court, you are excused. You are not the father,” said the magistrate, looking at her files.
Thami’s palms began to sweat as he took in what the magistrate was saying.
“The second child, Zolani Maphela, a male, born on 10 October 2000. For the case of paternity, the court excuses you as the father.”
Thami swallowed deeply.
“The third child is Zandi Maphela, a female, born on 2 January 2003. For the case of paternity, you are the father. You are therefore required by this court to maintain your child by paying the amount of seven hundred and fifty rand every month.”
24HOURS
The shebeen was crowded. It was Friday evening. Thami and Vusi were seated in a corner, next to a large speaker that was blaring out Kamazu’s classic “Korobela”.
African woman, why give me korobela?
Oh, korobela.
Thami sang along to the song, his head moving rhythmically to the music.
“This song speaks to me, man. I think Thuli gave me a love potion to blind me. How else is it possible that I didn’t see that she was cheating on me all along?” asked Thami as the song ended.
“Don’t blame yourself, man,” said Vusi. “I’ve heard that most women use it on their men. My father told me that they apply it to their arms, thighs and genitals before sex. When a man is busy dancing between his woman’s legs and enjoying it, the potion is transferred.”
“You see me married again, you cut my throat. I have had enough of women,” said Thami drunkenly.
