Zulu

As a child, Ali Sokhela witnesses his father's murder by necklacing. He is chased by a police dog and forced to flee. The aftermath leaves him scarred and reliant on the support of one of three white South African policemen.

Years later, Ali is a homicide detective with Epkeen and Fletcher. They are tasked with a high profile murder case involving Judith Botha and the apparent victim Nicole Weiss. They learn that Nicole is the real victim, and during interviews Ali witnesses a violent street fight and uncovers the tik drug.

The investigation points to Nicole's boyfriend Stan Kwalana as the tik dealer. Zina identifies Stan, and Janet traces Nicole's phone to Muizenberg Beach, widening the crossfire of clues.

At Muizenberg Beach, Ali, Brian, and Dan Fletcher are ambushed by criminals. Dan is mortally wounded and dies later in hospital, leaving his wife Claire devastated. Ali and Brian survive the brutal assault.

Dan's funeral is held while Captain Kruger assigns Cat to pursue the killers. Cat denies knowledge of the crime but is later revealed to be involved as a distributor of tik.

Brian meets Ranger Tara, who saw a black 4x4 outside Muizenberg Beach at the time of Dan's murder. The sighting broadens the net and points toward Cat's network.

Kate Montgomery is found dead on Long Island Beach in the same fashion as Nicole. The chest bears the Zulu warrior message Bazukala, and Stan's severed head is later recovered, signaling a widening conspiracy.

Surviving criminals from Muizenberg assault Cat's hideout, killing several of his men. Ali is wounded in the exchange, and the hunt for tik gains intensity.

Brian discovers Stan has been labeled as Nicole's and Kate's killer, but Ali refuses to accept it given Stan's illiteracy. Brian and Janet privately investigate and uncover Doctor Joost Opperman, a former Project Coast scientist, suggesting tik originated from a Cold War weaponization program.

Brian infiltrates the private DPS militia and uncovers ties to Opperman and De Beer. A vehicle linked to Muizenberg Beach is found at De Beer's compound, confirming their involvement. Ruby and her husband Rick are abducted by De Beer's men to pressure Brian to drop the case.

Ali learns that his mother Josephine has been murdered by Cat. He also learns that Cat fled to the Namib Desert with Opperman, prompting him to pursue them to Namibia in a personal quest for vengeance.

In the Namib Desert, Opperman flees to a desert hideout and a brutal pursuit ensues. Ali corners him and delivers a decisive strike, killing Opperman, though the fight leaves Ali mortally wounded. Brian arrives by helicopter to retrieve Ali's body.

Brian returns to Cape Town with Ali's body and begins the process of laying him to rest, carrying the weight of the case back home. The city mourns as the investigation reaches its denouement.

Brian buries Ali and engraves his father's tombstone at the grave site in Cape Town, memorializing both generations of Sokhelas. The family’s story closes with Brian honoring Ali's legacy and keeping his memory alive.