Season three of “Blood & Water,” Netflix’s South African teen drama thriller, makes a dramatic return with even greater tension and intensity. As earlier mysteries find their answers and ongoing storylines are resolved, the fresh episodes also introduce more action and harsher consequences.
Puleng and Fikile work together to uncover the complete story of their separation eighteen years earlier, and this pursuit finally brings the true culprits and their supporters into the open.
Parkhurst students face old rivalries and new beginnings after the break (Photo: Blood and Water Season 3/Gambit Films)Plot Summary – What Happens In The Third Season?
The story picks up roughly three weeks after the close of season two, with a mention that Nwabisa Bhele has still not been found. Parkhurst College High School students spend their break between academic sessions on their own before school activities commence for the new year.
During this period, Puleng’s younger brother, Siya, joins the school after securing admission. Puleng’s cousin, Lunga, also arrives at the Khumalo household, staying temporarily while waiting for his university to arrange accommodation. Many familiar faces from Parkhurst return as well, carrying unresolved tensions from past events.
KB remains doubtful that his parents were involved with the human trafficking syndicate, while Puleng and Fikile continue searching for solid proof. On a personal note, Puleng still struggles to decide between Wade and KB as her romantic partner.
Despite facing personal dilemmas and the pressure of entering eleventh grade, Puleng stays committed to uncovering the answers she has long sought. Although Puleng and Fikile have confirmed they are half-sisters, the truth about Fikile’s biological father remains unknown. Also, the criminals who had stolen Fikile as a newborn are yet to face justice.
While suspicions have pointed toward Lisbeth Molapo, no conclusive evidence had been presented until now. Lisbeth returns to her family, reconnecting with her husband Matla and son KB.
As anticipated from the buildup in earlier seasons, Puleng and Fikile’s determination to reveal the truth puts them in even greater peril, but the sisters press on in their bid to fully dismantle the human trafficking network.
Who Is Fikile’s Biological Father? Has Julius Khumalo Really Sold Baby Phume?
The beginning of season three provides answers to some pressing questions, starting with the hidden past involving Julius and Thandeka before their first child was born. Even though Puleng and Fikile, now well-acquainted with the Khumalo family, initially receive no clear answers, both Julius and Thandeka later open up.
Only two months into their marriage, Julius, overwhelmed by new responsibilities, decided he needed a break, forcing Thandeka to live separately despite her reluctance. During this separation, Thandeka led a carefree lifestyle, and in one of her encounters, she spent a romantic night with a man named Anthony Gabisa.
The pregnancy resulted from that encounter, although Thandeka reconciled with Julius shortly afterwards. Julius believed the unborn child was his, while Thandeka held lingering doubts.
Eventually, she confessed the truth, and Julius, deeply hurt, urged her to have an abortion, which she refused. Julius, without Thandeka’s knowledge, then struck a deal with Point of Grace, arranging to sell the unborn child after birth in exchange for money.
Though he received the payment cheque, seeing the newborn Phumele caused Julius to have a serious change of heart. Regret overwhelmed him, prompting him to try and cancel the agreement. He attempted to return the cheque and keep the baby, but by then, Lisbeth Molapo had already abducted Phumele from the hospital.
Even though Julius Khumalo’s initial action of trying to sell his child was shameful, he regretted it before going through with the final steps. He continues to carry the guilt, as he emotionally recounts the events to Puleng and Fikile.
After it came to light in season two that Thandeka had engaged in an affair, Julius had left her again, but now he returns seeking forgiveness and a chance to rebuild their family. This reunion brings brief happiness, but tragedy quickly follows. Julius attends an anti-bullying event at Parkhurst, later giving Puleng a ride home.
Unfortunately, along the way, their vehicle is struck by another car, resulting in a serious accident. Puleng survives, but Julius, gravely injured, later dies at the hospital. The Khumalo family is plunged into grief, and Puleng, while recovering, cannot shake off feelings of guilt, particularly recalling Lisbeth’s strange warning about staying careful on the roads just a day earlier.
Who Are The Real Perpetrators Involved In The Human Trafficking Racket?
The truth that had long been hinted at finally becomes clear as the Molapo parents, Matla and Lisbeth, are revealed to be the key figures running the trafficking operations. Lisbeth, in particular, emerges as the more ruthless and calculating one, handling operations with cold efficiency.
Love triangles and broken trust stir drama at the heart of the story (Photo: Blood and Water Season 3/Gambit Films)Matla tries to portray himself as a professional lawyer associated with Point of Grace and distances himself from the criminal side, but Lisbeth later exposes that he, too, has profited from selling victims. Throughout season three, Lisbeth remains actively involved in keeping tabs on Puleng and Fikile, making their mission even more difficult.
Meanwhile, Janet and Sam, placed under witness protection, start disclosing how Point of Grace operated the trafficking business. This prompts Lisbeth to dispatch her loyal enforcer, Gabriel, to locate them and bring Janet back into their operations. Given that only a few top-level officers knew their location, suspicions rise about police complicity in the trafficking scheme.
Unlike previous attempts by Lisbeth to obstruct Puleng, this time she executes a more direct plan. During a student party, police officers raid the event under the pretext of drug-related suspicions and line up all attendees. Puleng, taking a short break in the restroom, becomes an easy target for Gabriel, who kidnaps her. Puleng later wakes up to find herself imprisoned in a traffickers’ warehouse.
The suspicious timing of Puleng’s disappearance during a police raid raises doubts among her friends about possible police involvement. Many begin to question whether authorities were making any genuine efforts to investigate Nwabisa Bhele’s case or allegations against the Molapos.
Even the driver who caused Julius’ fatal accident surrendered suspiciously quickly and agreed to financial compensation, raising further eyebrows. Frustrated by the inaction, Fikile publicly challenges the police in a press conference, openly accusing Matla and Lisbeth Molapo of being responsible for both her and Puleng’s abductions.
Pressured by the public outcry, the police finally begin investigating the Molapos, although they struggle to find conclusive evidence. With Puleng still missing, KB eventually joins forces with his friends to seek clues against his own parents. As events escalate, Lisbeth, realising that exposure is imminent, prepares to flee the city with her husband and son.
However, she soon learns that KB has already discovered Puleng’s location and shared it with his friends. Acting swiftly, Lisbeth orders the kidnapping of Fikile and Chris and detains them alongside KB. When Fikile confronts Lisbeth about her mother Nwabisa’s fate, Lisbeth coldly reveals that she is dead.
Chaos breaks out, and during the commotion, one of the guards drops his weapon, which Lisbeth picks up. She shoots Fikile without hesitation, while another guard shoots at KB. Matla shields his son, taking the bullet himself.
