Skeem Saam–
Lelo’s life takes an unexpected turn and her stay behind bars is about to become even more unpleasant.
Lelo (Amanda du-Pont) is locked up for kidnapping and the attempted murder of Kwaito (Clement Maosa) in November 2015, but she’s still living a pretty good life. Aside from the fact that she found out in mid-March that she’s pregnant… plus she’s still stringing her ex Mangaliso (Bongani Masondo) along when she knows that it’s not his baby. Lelo’s got more privacy in the prison sick bay and she can still see her former cellmates for their writing club meetings. It gets better for her when she makes a new ally on Tuesday 19 April, but that friendship sours when Lelo takes her newfound power a little too far and learns the hard way that prison life is tough when you break the rules.
YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND IN ME
Since her pregnancy diagnosis, Lelo’s bonded with prison physician Doctor Moremi (Phoenix Baaitse) and this has earned the convict privileges that she never thought she’d get so soon. By Monday 18 April, manipulative Lelo has Dr Moremi in the palm of her hand. “Because she’s been under the weather from the pregnancy, Lelo has been separated from the other inmates and gets special treatment,” explains Amanda. But an old friend’s visit and a stupid mistake on Tuesday 19 April are going to cost Lelo dearly.
NAUGHTY, NAUGHTY
Lelo’s back in gen-pop with the other inmates by Wednesday 20 April after “she’s suspected of being on the wrong side of the law inside the prison [on Tuesday 19 April],” says Amanda. “She did something that leaves the guards disappointed in her.” Lelo’s sick bay access is revoked and she’s not prepared for her lawyer Kobus’s (Anton Dekker) suggestion during their meeting on Thursday 21 April either.
NO WAY OUT
“Kobus tells Lelo that they should appeal her sentence and she may not need to serve the entire 15 years,” says Amanda. But Lelo treats it with caution, not excitement, as she’s not willing to take the chance. On Friday 22 April, she plans another prison escape, but her plots are overheard. “One of the warders is now aware of Lelo’s new plan, watching her every move to make sure that it’ll be a long time before she sees the outside of Hatfield Prison.” It looks like life’s going to be a little harder for the mom-to-be and we may even see a prison birth…