Donkerbos (2022–2023): Season 1, Episode 3 - The Tree House - full transcript

Jaco?

Jaco?

Jaco?

Where were you?

At the bar.

Since when?

Mom?

Go to bed, please?

- Morning.
- Morning.

Thanks.

Do you want me to throw it out?



Listen... can I borrow your car?

And your gun?

And you’re ready to start again?

Keys?

People know my bakkie.

What does Fanie think about this?

She already has a new partner.
A Venda dude.

Okay.

Thank you.

Don’t lean on the clutch.

Fuck off.

- Morning!
- Morning.

You're not coming in?

No thanks.
If I come in I'll never leave.



- Want some rusks? Freshly baked.
- No, I’m fine.

- I’ll go get some--
- No. Really.

I don’t know what’s wrong
with your mouth.

Kallie loves my rusks.

Eats it while it’s still wet.

Yes, Tannie.

It’s a shame, Fanie. You’re a Van Wyk.

Excuse me?

You don’t know how to bake.

Afrikaners don’t have much,
but we have milk tart.

Go see where Francois is.

Bye.

- See you later.
- Bye.

- Love you.
- Love you.

I don’t know how you do it.

If I had to see half the things
you see every day...

You’d tell me...

Right? If you...

hear something about Jaco in town?

Even if you think it’ll hurt me.

I don’t know either.

God gave you that gut. Trust it.

Well, if you hear something about him...

Don’t lie to me. Do you hear me?

And Sybrand?

Thanks for the coffee.

Francois, you’re going to be late!

How many fucking times
do I have to tell you it’s all lies?

They are lying.

I don't. They’re just furious about--

Who called you?
Was it that fucking Bricks?

Or that other girl down the road?

Whatsherface, Pamela? Did she call you?

Mrs Kloppers.

This is the third complaint
in the past four months.

And there are the reports
from the school.

Is this about the bruises again?

I told that fucking whatshisface,
Mr Pieterse...

Did he lay the charge?

I told him to stop interfering
and rather worry about the boy's marks.

Simon?

Please look at me.

Thank you.

Can I ask you to please come here?

Can you remove your jacket for me?

Can I ask you to do something for me?

Can you please lift up your shirt--

No, wait a minute. That’s not right!

Would you prefer that we continue this
down at the station?

It would really help me
if you’d do it by yourself.

And you’re saying
that he did this to himself?

He’s always running and jumping.
Playing with the other boys.

Simon...

Did you fall off your bike?

And the other bruises?

- The cut in your arm?
- He’s always playing with the other kids.

Always running off into the forest.
Right, Simon?

Yes, Tannie. We climb trees.

Have a cookie.

Roxy!

Tsedza!

Oi!

They were all placed like this?

It’s ritualistic.

But with no iconography
or traditional markers I know.

Is he showing off?

These children were hidden.

Deep in the forest.

Buried behind a locked gate.

Preserved.

But why all the effort?

Just to bury them
under half a meter of soil?

They’ve been entombed.

Like little pharaohs.

- What about the results?
- It’s--

I don’t know what to make of them, Fanie.

Try.

Well, okay, so...

The blood work came back.

Before they were embalmed--

Typically, you’d use a scalpel to make a
small incision near the right collarbone.

From there, you’d search
for the common carotid artery

and the internal jugular vein.

A drain tube, or angled forceps,

is then also put into the vein
to facilitate the draining of the blood.

And that wasn't done?

- It’s badly done.
- How bad?

The arteries are still
half filled with blood.

Also, the organs are untouched,

which is where most
of the decomposition took place.

- Okay, so he’s not a professional?
- Definitely not.

How did he kill them?

Fatality occurred due to cardiogenic shock
and respiratory arrest.

- Heart-attacks?
- But they’re children?

Every one of the victims received
around twelve thousand milligrams

of sodium pentobarbital
via arterial injection.

It’s a barbiturate used
in some public executions,

mostly in America, but more commonly--

To euthanise animals.

And we found trace evidence
of Diphenhydramine.

Sleeping pills?

Sleep forever under the tree.

The same thing over and over again.

Not all of them.

Das Kind des Kindes
ist ein Kind der Sünde?

The child of the child is a child of sin.

She was pregnant?

12 weeks.

Jesus.

Why are we talking to the reverend?

Because he smells like secrets.

Good morning. Come inside.

So first Witbank... then Delmas.

Then Springs for three years.

And now Donkerbos.

That’s quite a lot of congregations?

I want to be able to spread the
Word of God like seeds.

Not plant and grow trees
all in one place.

Now it’s our turn?

When you put it like that.

And you live by yourself?

In the consistory?

I live by myself.

Dominee Coetzer says you
prefer being on your own.

You don’t really mingle
with the congregation.

Do you have something against tea?

Hello.

Fanie.

- We’ll talk again.
- Thank you.

Anytime.

Spook.

He’s in his office.

I’m not here for Jaco.

You’re not a detective.
What do you want?

Didn’t you work for old
Oom Mahlberg way back?

Odd jobs. Cutting grass. Didn't you?

- When was the last time you were there?
- Man...

Who pissed in your panty?

Listen... we can do this here,
or we can go to the station.

I know you don’t have a warrant.

Or that other bitch
would’ve come spoken to me.

Not the fucking road patrol.

My son-in-law was not a good man.

Esther’s father.

My daughter reported him many times.

But the police only show up for death.

Why did you stop looking for her?

The case...

there were no leads.

Until...

After Esther disappeared,
they moved to Johannesburg.

I have not spoken to my daughter since.

Can I go take a look?

ID’d another one?

Palesa Mudau.

Reported missing on August 13th, 2019.

She’s a local. Mavhunyani.

She was pregnant.

- I spoke to Spook Steenkamp.
- Bongani.

- Detective?
- What’s the vet called again?

The old place past the auction kraal?

- Dr... Oldrieve? I think.
- Yes, yes.

Tell him to come to the station.
We need to ask him some questions.

And if he refuses?

Ask Sybrand to go.

- Oh. What did Spook say?
- Spook?

He...

I...

Later.

Detective.

My records.
I do them by hand and I do them properly.

Thank you.

It’s my book of death.

Every injection for 30 years.

- Do you mind if I make a few copies?
- No.

The storeroom, where you keep the--

- Yes?
- Yeah...

Is there anyone other
than you who have access?

No.

And we have cameras everywhere.

Your brother was here yesterday
with an old service animal.

That poor dog was kept alive
well past its expiry date.

Thanks. We’ll keep in touch.

Thank you.

You don’t have to thank me.

I needed that.

Do you have smokes?

Yes. In my bakkie.

Thank you.

This can’t happen again.

That’s what you said the last time.

You were pretty rough today.

I don’t know this town anymore.

Talk to me.

Off the record.

Yes...

Until it isn’t anymore.

- Another round?
- No, I have to piss.

Hey, cowboy.

I have to go.

Is there anything as dependable
as our capacity for horror?

I’ll do the talking, okay?

Sorry.

Hello.

Hi. How are you?

Do I still have a wife?

I'm... sorry about earlier.

I can’t talk right now.

How’s your new partner?

Invite him over for dinner.

I will.

I’m serious.

See you when I see you.

- Good luck.
- Bye.

We go in and we sit down.

We’re going to tell them
their daughter is dead.

Okay?

Yes.

Reverend Mudau...
Two reverends in one day?

Good morning, Ma’am.

Morning, Brother.

Ma’am.

Thank you for the tea.

Mr Mudau.

You’re the pastor
of the local church, yes?

I never forget a face.

You must be mistaken.

Thank you for taking the time to see us.

You are from Giyani.

My first church was in Giyani.

Next to the river.

Lots of boys were always gathering
there by the water.

The things they did in the dark...

Mr Mudau, we are here
to talk to you about Palesa.

This is a house of God, young man.

And we are here to talk
about your daughter, Palesa.

We have news regarding--

Did she have a boyfriend?

Before she went missing?

Reverend...

Reverend, can we talk?

Not a boyfriend.

God asks many things of a man.

If you found her...

don’t ever bring her back here.

Please.

Bongani.

So, the German on the bodies...

it’s nothing weird or special.

I’ve been cross-referencing
every German sentence

- between here and Düsseldroff--
- And?

Are you gonna get me a pay raise?

- Are you gonna make me strangle you?
- Okay, okay.

So... it’s a book.

A fairytale.

Der Mutterbaum.

The Mother Tree.
A very old and strange book.

It's been out of print since the ‘40s,

even before the Second World War.

The Mother Tree.

- Where can I find--
- Two copies on record.

One close to you and one far...

Great job.

Hey there.

Is anyone home?

Hey, Zellie! Get away from there!

Who are you?

Afternoon.

Does...

Spook... Is he still here?

At work.

And you are?

Pattie.

The sister.

And the girl?

Mine.

Spook's on the straight and narrow.

You know what he is.

And what’s that?

Yes.

Bye.

Zellie, come eat your sandwich!

Is there another library in this town?

You’re in Limpopo, Detective.

You said the second copy is in Gauteng?

Fuck this.

What?

I’ve never seen anything like this.

This is fucking unprofessional.

- I’m sorry.
- You’re sorry?

Those vultures are always out there,

waiting for us to drop the ball.

Fuck it, Wolf.
Can’t you keep it in your pants?

You shut up about me.

Why did you even have the file
in your fucking car?

You’re canvassing suspects.

Not victims!

I did.

She...

looked at me.

People don’t look at me, Fanie.

What’s going on here?

Talk, Wolf.

Tell your captain who’s responsible
for this fuckup.

My office.

Now.

I’m sorry, Fanie.

You're buying.

In your dreams, honey.

Hello!

Hey! Get away from there!

Where does your mom hide her cigarettes?

You know she doesn’t smoke.

Do you ever lie to your mom?

Why are you asking?

She’s a human lie detector.

So?

So the day I want to die,
I’ll lie to her.

What’s going on with you?

Yes, yes. How’s it going?

Hello, Oom.

Your mom not home yet?

Francois.

Are you guys hungry?

How does a steak sound?

That sounds like a plan.

- Are you staying over?
- Is it okay?

Yes, of course.

I’m going to shower.
You guys get a fire going.

Cool. We'll do that.

They’re fighting again.

Why?

I think my dad’s having an affair.

- Hello.
- Have you eaten yet?

No, not yet.
The coals are only ready now.

Hey, I didn’t make the fire.

What are you drinking?

Coke?

Just one. Do you hear me?

Yes.

Should I put your food in the fridge?

I’m just having a drink after work.
I’ll see you soon.

- Okay, bye.
- Cheers.

- Love you.
- Bye.

Who said I wanted a whiskey?

I needed one.

Cheers.

You don’t look like a detective.

What do you mean?

A person who hunts people.

What do I look like then?

An animal in a trap.

Why do they call you The Leopard?

Musangwe.

What’s that?

When I was a boy in Giyani.

All Venda boys have to take part.

No gloves, no mercy.

No stopping until someone falls.

So what? You just...

beat each other?

I was smaller, you know?

The smallest. A...

leopard among lions.

The leopard survives by staying hidden.

Out of sight.

And when he is forced to punch,

Didinngwe punches first.

Hey.

How’s it?

Sorry, am I interrupting, or--

- Are you still on the job?
- No.

Tsedza Tshivenga.

Detective.

So, you’re my new brother?

- Is Sybrand here?
- I’m not his boss.

Another one?

No, thanks. I’m fine.

Drinking alone these days?

- See you.
- Bye.

At fucking last.

That’s Sybrand’s brother.

- Tell me about him.
- Braam?

Oh, well... he’s--

Sybrand.

What about Sybrand?

That place he booked himself into...

You said he was there for five months?

Six.

Was he there the whole time?

He came home every now and then.

Tell me about... Wim Botha.

You have a knack
for losing your partners, huh?

Sybrand was suspended, not--

He assaulted a suspect.

I’m sorry.

- I didn’t mean--
- Yes, you did.

And Wim...

I don’t wanna fucking talk about Wim.

Or the kid who shot him.

Who the fuck are you?

You’re playing with fire.
Do you hear me?

Thanks for the whiskey.

Fanie...

Get some fucking sleep.

Tonight, we are here at the
Duvha Lodge in Donkerbos, Limpopo,

- where the community has gathered...
- Check, check! Mommy’s on TV!

to remember the victims.

There are no answers, only tears.

With me is Mrs Pattie Steenkamp.

Mother of Abrie.

Mrs Steenkamp, why tonight?

Why this photo?

This is my Abrie.

He’s been missing for about a year now.

Are you holding on to hope?

They’ll probably still find him.

You only want some shine.

Where are you going?

Out.

- Hey.
- Hey.

You know we both have houses, right?

What’s wrong?

So I found something...

- Where?
- Esther Madekwana.

There’s no prints. I dusted, but...

I...

needed to...

see you.

Okay.

I’m so fucking glad you’re back.

Our Heavenly Father...

I lay this burden at your feet.

Give me the strength...

to forgive them.

For they do not know what they do.

How many of them still have to suffer?

Stay out of my fucking way!

Did you forget to buy electricity?

It’s the entire town.

Francois!

Dad?

Kallie?