There was an air of finality about what he said next, standing up and brushing himself down. ‘The last thing I need right now, I mean Soil of Africa needs, is to be seen helping you. We don’t need any more scrutiny than we’re under already.’

Lindi got to her feet, and together they started walking back towards the church. On the other side of the yard, the ‘special guests’ who’d been invited to the burial were just coming back from the cemetery. Some were milling around, others already piling into the leathery comforts of their limousines. There was only so much of this township thing they could take. Their chauffeurs had kept the cars running with the air-conditioning on. In the melee Kagiso spotted Willemse again. He was talking to Josiah Motlantshe.

‘Look at them.’ Kagiso gestured to where the two men were standing. ‘Lesedi’s father is mixed up in this whole thing. He’s the one offering the sweeteners to the farmers. It’s made to look like a government initiative but he’s the main man. I’d love to know how much he gives Willemse and all the other hyenas.’

‘So whose side was Lesedi on?’

‘He and his father were polar opposites. All that kak in the church about the two of them being like friends and colleagues! Lesedi told me they did nothing but argue.’

The police sirens were wailing.

‘That’ll be the president on his way,’ said Kagiso.

‘Just one last thing,’ pressed Lindi. ‘Why would the Land Collective switch from sabotage to murder?’

‘Who says they have?’

‘Isn’t that the assumption?’

‘That’s what Willemse and his cronies want you to think but it doesn’t stack up. No one with a cause to promote would kill Lesedi. And why would they film the whole murder and stick it on YouTube, something they’ve never done with any of their previous acts of sabotage? The only thing that makes sense is that it creates an atmosphere of such revulsion that people are ready to give the government carte blanche to retaliate in any way it wants.’

‘So you think the government sanctioned Lesedi’s murder?’

‘Have you got a better theory? There’s billions riding on these land deals. Look how desperate they are, arresting one of the Mozambicans. They are the poorest of the poor, who will work for practically nothing because it’s better than they can get at home. Why would they risk it all by killing one of the most popular men in the country?’

Lindi nodded. ‘Shall we share a cab? I’m going into town.’

‘No, it’s better if we … Sorry. As I said, it’s better if it doesn’t look like we’re working together.’