‘I’d say he’s got his eyes on you.’

‘Oh, I don’t doubt that. Minister Jake Willemse doesn’t like people who interfere in his business. After today I’d say he’s got his eyes on you too, Lindi. Whatever you’re up to – and I assume that stuff about family and friends was bullshit – I’d be careful who you talk to and what you say in public. In fact, being seen hanging around with me probably hasn’t done you any favours.’

‘Since you mention it I think they’re already watching me.’

Kagiso frowned. ‘Really?’

‘Well, they took me aside at Immigration and gave me a warning about working. I’m on a tourist visa.’

‘How did they know to take you aside? It’s not like they could have known you were coming.’

‘Good question. Could be a couple of reasons,’ Lindi mused. ‘My boss, South Trust’s director, gave an interview the morning after Lesedi’s killing saying it was all linked to the land question. Not that he had any evidence, more of a gut thing. Anyway, after that we got a call from the South African High Commission in London. So they certainly know about us.’

‘I heard the interview. They had a clip on the BBC website. What was the other reason?’

‘Maybe I’m being paranoid but the morning after Lesedi’s murder I got a call from an old colleague of mine, from the days when I used to work for the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office.’

Kagiso raised his eyebrows in mock horror. ‘Harry Seaton’s daughter worked for the colonial masters!’

‘Very funny. If it’s any consolation, it was a train crash and I left in disgrace. Anyhow, this guy now works for something called Africa Rising Investments. They’re private-equity turnaround specialists, though from what I can make out the only thing they’re really good at turning around is the money they make. He called me that morning – it was three days ago, maybe four, I’ve lost track – and warned me, or South Trust, about meddling.’

‘Let me guess, Africa Rising is involved in land purchases?’

‘You go to the top of the class. Yes, they’ve done stuff all over the place – Sudan, Ethiopia and loads more.’

Kagiso looked surprised. ‘We – I mean Soil of Africa – we keep an eye on people like that but I haven’t come across Africa Rising doing anything here.’

‘They don’t exactly shout about it. They stay under the radar. That’s the way they like it and that’s the way their clients like it – the Chinese, the Gulf countries, whoever’s paying them.’

‘And Lesedi headlines are not good for business.’

‘Exactly. Judging by this guy’s call to me, I’d say Africa Rising must be knee-deep in some land deals here.’