A grave discovery
It’s the case Detective Babeile thought he’d never solve, but a ghost story and buried bones finally bring closure to Turf.
In case you missed it: there’s a ghost in Turfloop. Whether it’s real or not is still a matter of debate, but the presence of a supposed wandering spirit is about to unearth skeletons from the past – one person’s skeleton to be exact. While many residents took the ghost story to heart, some are not yet convinced. Detective Babeile (Matthews Manamela) is sceptical. “Are ghosts actually real?” asks Matthews. “We don’t know. But with witnesses claiming to have seen and interacted with it, there has to be an explanation. That’s why Babeile decides to investigate.” And his hunch soon pays off.
COLD CASE
Call it a sixth sense or good old investigative work, but following a few leads, Babeile is led back to a case that’s been haunting him since November 2019: the disappearance of pageant queen it-girl Kelebogile “Kele” Kgomo (Mmathema Kgomo). “She disappeared suddenly,” Matthews reminds us. “He is convinced that Kele is involved in this ghost story. Babeile always felt bad for not providing closure to the family.”
For now, the late Tumishang (Mothusi Magano) and his then-lawyer Leeto (Eric Macheru) are the only people who know of Kele’s whereabouts. Following a kidnappinggone-wrong, Tumishang hid her body in an undisclosed location. He then took his secret to the grave after being fatally shot during a dramatic hostage situation, and attorney-client privilege prevented Leeto from speaking out.
THEM BONES
Having re-opened the case, Babeile interviews witnesses, goes through files and retraces Tumishang’s steps. “Everyone had a suspicion that Tumishang was involved in Kele’s disappearance, he was the number-one suspect! Babeile knows that there’s a connection and follows that,” adds Matthews.
Within days, Babeile has a theory: landscaper Tumishang hid Kele’s body in one of the gardens he worked on. With sniffer dogs, Detective Babeile goes from one home to the next and soon makes a chilling discovery: human remains in the Magongwas’ backyard. “It’s a case of mixed emotions,” says Matthews. “Babeile is proud for the work he put into this case, but sad because a life has been horribly lost.”
Babeile sends the bones for DNA analysis and Matthews says his character is “happy, scared, relieved and shocked” by the results – Kele has been found. Her family can find closure at last. But Matthews adds that the case isn’t closed just yet: “It’s about finding out if Tumishang had an accomplice…”
PREVIOUSLY
Nimza was desperately in need of help after getting into trouble with the law, Melita was spurned by her hero, and Celia stressed about the situation that her family was dropped in.
10 – 12 FEBRUARY
A newly released suspect is furious when he finds out why the police let him go, and Tbose is stunned when his parents Meikie and John tell him what’s going on with his brother Leeto. John lashes out at someone for no reason, and Mokgadi is putting plans in place to reconcile with her estranged husband Leeto and make sure that they stay together in harmony.
15 – 19 FEBRUARY
Alfred’s luck goes from bad to worse, Noah has concerns about what lies ahead in his life, and Melita has sky-high dreams but she needs help. Alfred is publicly called out, and Meikie is speechless when she finds out who wants to buy the house. Pretty doesn’t know what to say when she learns of Kat’s sudden change of mind, and John puts Melita in her place.
22 – 23 FEBRUARY
Melita is floored to discover what Alfred has done, Celia has bad news for Alfred, and Leeto tricks Mary and Mokgadi.
CAST: Advocate Moss Charlie Bouguenon •Alfred Magongwa Putla Sehlapelo •Bafedile Candy Mokwena •BigBoy Charles Maja •Bontle Kea Leburu •Botshelo Neo Ramitshana •Candice Liza van Deventer •Captain Babeile Matthews Manamela •Captain Malebana Arthur Molepo •Carol Lebogang Chidi •Celia Magongwa Shoki Mmola •Charity Ramabu Makgofe Moagi •Charles Kunutu Masilo Magoro •Chef Kgosi Katlego Samuel Letsholonyana •Chef Marlene Camilla Waldman •Cindy Phophi Manku •Clement Vusi Leremi •Dennis Clevy Sekgala •Detective Petersen Mortimer Williams •Dragon Julius wa Kgole •Emkay Biyela Mlungisi Mathe •Eunice Oratile Maitisa •Fanie Gift Mokhampanyane •Francois James Pilkington •Glenda Nozipho Langa •John Maputla Africa Tsoai •Kat (Katlego) Petersen Patrick Seleka •Kelebogile Mmathema Kgomo •Kobus Anton Dekker •Koloi Joseph Tshepo Senatle •Kwaito Seakamela Clement Maosa •Leeto Maputla Eric Macheru •Lehasa Maphosa Cedric Fourie •Lelo Mthiyane Amanda du Pont •Leshole Thabo Mkhabela •Lizzy (Elizabeth Thobakgale) Amanda Manku •MaNtuli Dieketseng Mnisi •Mapitsi Magongwa Mogau Motlhatswi •Marothi Macks Papo •Meikie Maputla Harriet Manamela •Melita Hellen Motsuki •Meneer Manaka Skhumbuzo Mbatha •Mokgadi Maputla Pebetsi Matlaila •Mr Kgomo Lebohang Elephant •Nimrod Kunutu Buhle Maseko •Noah Austin Mothapo •Nora Busisiwe Nyundu •Octavia Dudu Molefe •Phomolo Sam Shale •Pitsi Lethabo Thangoane •Pretty Seakamela Lerato Marabe •Principal Thobakgale Elizabeth Serunye •Rachel Lesego Marakalla •Ramashala Aubrey Mmakola •Ramolao Surprise Mathebula •Ruth Majwala Molokom-me •Shadi Nkosazana Hannah Mbatha •Sifiso Bongani Madondo •Sis’Ouma Elizabeth Mlengana •Sphola Thabang Lefoa •Sthoko Innocent Sadiki •Tbose Cornet Mamabolo •Vivian Tessa Jubber •Wallet Molefi Monaisa