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a black suit. Holding a hat on his knees, he did not take his eyes off Clare, not for a second. His unblinking gaze unsettled her, the still point in the heaving tide of journalists around her. In the front row was a woman who had tackled Clare on a previous occasion.
Dr Hart, she stood up before anyonecould stop her. The 28s? Why are you called after a prison gang?
Section 28. Its a clause in the Constitution that guarantees children their rights.
What does it promise them, pray tell?
A name, a nationality, safety, security. Love, too, said Clare.
All the things that the United Nations likes, she sneered. Ironic, dont you think, that the 28s is also the name of a prison gang? This factseems to have bypassed the minister completely. Her voice was rising, she was just getting started. Let me tell you what these children get. They get a bullet in the back. But what can you expect from a government like this?
Ina Britz moved over to the woman.
Weve been over this before, Mrs Sheridan, said Clare. We know how you feel, but we need to move on.
The woman sat down, but Ina remainedclose, one black, beady eye on her.
Clare gathered her notes. No lynch mob ever wanted facts, but she was going to give them some. She listed the few that she had and then the questions machine-gunned.
Is it true its a white child? Is that why there was a helicopter?
Is this to do with drugs?
Is it true that the mother was an addict?
Is this about drugs?
Gangs?
Paedophiles?
Was the childsodomised?
Bewitched?
Is our community safe?
Whos next?
Youve got no clue, have you? A reporter writing down his own question.
Clare could picture tomorrows tabloid headlines that would whip readers into a profitable frenzy. Nothing sells a paper better than a missing child. The old man slipped out, his black-suited back a column. There was a concentration to him that caught Clares attention.She watched him go across the parking lot towards her office.
Any arrests yet?
The question repeated brought her attention back to the room. No, no arrests yet. No suspects yet. Priority being the childs welfare.
Dr Hart, is it true that Section 28 is being dissolved?
Perhaps the ministers advisor would like to take that question, said Clare.
Everyone turned to look at Jakes Cwele, takingin the leather coat, the fedora.
Expertise in this area is being redeployed, said Cwele. The new minister is taking the presidents instructions to heart. Economic stability is everything. We know that crime is a result of poverty, therefore this must be addressed first.
A tabloid journalist turned to Clare. Your views, Dr Hart?
Section 28 was set up by the previous minister after a CommunityConsultation Forum like this one. You know this, said Clare. The minister laboured under the illusion that voters are owed explanations as to why so many children and their mothers die. She was removed during the last cabinet shuffle, but the 28s are still here, unwanted and unwelcome.
For how long, though?
I am contracted till the end of June, said Clare. Major Britz is permanent. The GangUnit Colonel Phiri is here too are our partners. Were not going anywhere. And now we have an investigation to complete.
It was over, and the journalists were shepherded out.
The old man who had caught Clares eye during the press conference was waiting for her when she and Ina Britz went outside.
Dr Hart?
Thats me, she said.
I know of your work, Dr Hart, Section 28. Its in the papers, onthe TV. You find them, the stolen ones. Youll bring her back to me. The old mans eyes were hollow. Clare knew that look. Shes gone. My little girl is gone.
Do you know something about the little girl we found this morning?
He shook his head. Im so sorry for her, but shes not the one I came for, Dr Hart. I came for you. She phoned me. He was fumbling with a cellphone, the instrument apparentlyunfamiliar in his work-worn hands. Listen.
Rosa, Oupa, its Rosa.
There was a flaying purity in the terror of the girls
Dr Hart, she stood up before anyonecould stop her. The 28s? Why are you called after a prison gang?
Section 28. Its a clause in the Constitution that guarantees children their rights.
What does it promise them, pray tell?
A name, a nationality, safety, security. Love, too, said Clare.
All the things that the United Nations likes, she sneered. Ironic, dont you think, that the 28s is also the name of a prison gang? This factseems to have bypassed the minister completely. Her voice was rising, she was just getting started. Let me tell you what these children get. They get a bullet in the back. But what can you expect from a government like this?
Ina Britz moved over to the woman.
Weve been over this before, Mrs Sheridan, said Clare. We know how you feel, but we need to move on.
The woman sat down, but Ina remainedclose, one black, beady eye on her.
Clare gathered her notes. No lynch mob ever wanted facts, but she was going to give them some. She listed the few that she had and then the questions machine-gunned.
Is it true its a white child? Is that why there was a helicopter?
Is this to do with drugs?
Is it true that the mother was an addict?
Is this about drugs?
Gangs?
Paedophiles?
Was the childsodomised?
Bewitched?
Is our community safe?
Whos next?
Youve got no clue, have you? A reporter writing down his own question.
Clare could picture tomorrows tabloid headlines that would whip readers into a profitable frenzy. Nothing sells a paper better than a missing child. The old man slipped out, his black-suited back a column. There was a concentration to him that caught Clares attention.She watched him go across the parking lot towards her office.
Any arrests yet?
The question repeated brought her attention back to the room. No, no arrests yet. No suspects yet. Priority being the childs welfare.
Dr Hart, is it true that Section 28 is being dissolved?
Perhaps the ministers advisor would like to take that question, said Clare.
Everyone turned to look at Jakes Cwele, takingin the leather coat, the fedora.
Expertise in this area is being redeployed, said Cwele. The new minister is taking the presidents instructions to heart. Economic stability is everything. We know that crime is a result of poverty, therefore this must be addressed first.
A tabloid journalist turned to Clare. Your views, Dr Hart?
Section 28 was set up by the previous minister after a CommunityConsultation Forum like this one. You know this, said Clare. The minister laboured under the illusion that voters are owed explanations as to why so many children and their mothers die. She was removed during the last cabinet shuffle, but the 28s are still here, unwanted and unwelcome.
For how long, though?
I am contracted till the end of June, said Clare. Major Britz is permanent. The GangUnit Colonel Phiri is here too are our partners. Were not going anywhere. And now we have an investigation to complete.
It was over, and the journalists were shepherded out.
The old man who had caught Clares eye during the press conference was waiting for her when she and Ina Britz went outside.
Dr Hart?
Thats me, she said.
I know of your work, Dr Hart, Section 28. Its in the papers, onthe TV. You find them, the stolen ones. Youll bring her back to me. The old mans eyes were hollow. Clare knew that look. Shes gone. My little girl is gone.
Do you know something about the little girl we found this morning?
He shook his head. Im so sorry for her, but shes not the one I came for, Dr Hart. I came for you. She phoned me. He was fumbling with a cellphone, the instrument apparentlyunfamiliar in his work-worn hands. Listen.
Rosa, Oupa, its Rosa.
There was a flaying purity in the terror of the girls
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