A trail of death leads to Lindiwe in The River S4

No one crosses wicked mining tycoon Lindiwe Dlomo-Dikana (Sindi Dlathu) and lives to tell the tale in the SAFTA-winning telenovela The River, which airs weekdays on 1Magic (DStv 103). Not even her protégé daughter, Tumi (Larona Moagi), was spared after she tried to betray Lindiwe. How did we get here, where a mother is behind her daughter’s tragic death? The S4 premiere kicked off on Monday, 8 February, and here’s a look at the chaos and action that is set to unfold.

Watch 1Magic  Watch The River

Covering her tracks

In the first episode of the telenovela The River in February 2018, it was revealed that Lindiwe abandoned Tumi at a nearby river as a newborn. The mother and daughter reunited two decades later, and they developed an unshakable bond. That’s until Tumi’s manipulative convict biological father, Mahumi (Seputla Sebogodi), stepped onto the scene in November 2020. First, he turned Tumi against Lindiwe. Then he schemed to destroy Lindiwe’s reputation. How? By recording a video of Lindiwe confessing to her gruesome murders and exposing the footage online, using a cellphone that he’d smuggled into his prison cell.

Because Mahumi is behind bars, executing his plot would be difficult. So, he manipulated Tumi into leaking the video at her cousin Zolani’s (Lawrence Maleka) wedding on Friday 5, February 2021. Lindiwe got wind of the scheme and sought to stop Tumi in her tracks. “I can’t do this anymore. I can’t be a part of your lies,” Tumi told Lindiwe during their phonecall. But Lindiwe wasn’t going to allow Mahumi the satisfaction. Not a chance.

Before Tumi’s helicopter landed, Lindiwe did the unthinkable. She grabbed a rifle from her corrupt cop goon, Detective Tshabalala (Boitumelo Chuck Shisana), and shot at the aircraft. The pilot lost control of the helicopter, leading to a crash and Tumi dying at the scene.

But Lindiwe’s secrets won’t be buried for good with her daughter’s body. The mystery pilot is fighting for his life in hospital – and if he survives, he’ll expose Lindiwe for killing Tumi. Furthermore, Mahumi might be in a jail cell, but he’ll find a way to seek vengeance for his daughter’s untimely death. Lindiwe will be looking over her shoulder throughout S4.

Not above the law!

Usually, it’s easy for Lindiwe to get away with murder. She has successfully buried her enemies all over Gauteng, and she’s never been questioned about it. In fact, killing has become second nature to her.

But Tumi’s murder isn’t going to be easy to shake off or escape from. Not only is there the pilot and Tumi’s biological father, but Lindiwe’s own husband, police commissioner Zweli (Hlomla Dandala), is investigating Tumi’s death, and he is hungry for answers. Initially, like the other law officials, he believed that it was an accident and that the helicopter experienced a mechanical failure. But when he discovers that the pilot was shot and is in ICU, Zweli is forced to get to the bottom of the truth.

Zweli should watch out, though! Lindiwe will try to distract him and interfere in the murder case. He is sticking to his guns, but once he learns about his wife’s hand in Tumi’s death, their marriage will certainly crumble.

Headed for destruction

When it comes to telenovela couples, Lindiwe and Zweli are regarded as a power pair. They support each other, care for one another, and despite all the drama that has unfolded over the years, they put each other first. But their marriage won’t be the same once he knows the truth. How will Zweli take it when he realises that the woman he fell in love with, a woman he thought was a nurturing and powerful figure who puts her family first, is, in fact, capable of killing her own flesh and blood? Hold onto your seat, because S4 is going to be a bumpy ride for the Dikanas.

Watch The River S4, weekdays on 1Magic (DStv 103) at 20:00 and on Catch Up

Read about Catch Up