Ducking & diving
Carol plays hide-and-seek as Matshidiso ups her blackmailing.
On Wednesday 25 November, Matshidiso (Buhle Samuels) has the upper hand over Lerumo and Carol (John Morapama and Phuti Komo). She plans to get them out the Mojalefa mansion or else the truth about their affair will come seeping out. “Matshidiso trying to get the Mojalefa mansion is all about power,” says Buhle. “She uses intimidation tactics to get to Carol. This is Matshidiso’s only leverage because previously, her other leverage was that she had information that Morapedi (Rantebeng Makapan) stole documents from MMC. However, the plan to blackmail him didn’t work, so now she’s using her trump card on Carol.”
Later on Wednesday 25 November, a frightened Carol confides in her pal Nthabeleng (Mona Monyane), who makes sure that Matshidiso doesn’t run into Carol. Says Mona, “Nthabeleng is worried about the baby more than anything else. She knows a little bit about why Carol is in distress, but a lot of the information is missing…” tal, Carol confesses to Nthabeleng that she doesn’t know who the father of her baby is, which is why she’s so freaked out. Meanwhile, Matshidiso is desperate to get hold of Carol but none of her calls are going through.
“Matshidiso isn’t happy that Carol is running away and avoiding her,” says Buhle. “Matshidiso sees herself as mentally superior to Carol and doesn’t like the fact that Carol is getting away with this.” On Friday 4 December, Matshidiso tails Lerumo to see where he goes and she catches him visiting Carol at the hospital. “Matshidiso gets information through Nonny (Phindile Gwala),” Buhle explains, “because Nonny knows everything that happens in the office.” Matshidiso uses her knowledge of Carol’s possible babydaddy against her and Carol is forced to make a plan. Meanwhile, Thandaza moves out of her home and goes to stay at a hotel, which is where she makes an important decision about her marriage to Ranthumeng. Elsewhere, Teboho phones Mulalo to say that she’ll be coming home early. Thandaza tells Ranthumeng that he can forget about taking Imani as his second wife, while Mulalo and Shonisani spend the night at his house, but when a car door opens, Mulalo thinks that Teboho’s returned early. Carol is rushed to hospital and confides in Nthabeleng about her problems with Matshidiso, and Ranthu is left hanging when he proposes. Thandaza returns home from the hotel but has a surprise waiting for her, and Matshidiso gives the Mojalefas an eviction notice. Vho-Mukondeleli then has a message for Mulalo: his life is in danger and somebody is following him.