A tragic incident unfolded in the Joe Slovo informal settlement in Cape Town when a pregnant Zimbabwean woman was forced to give birth next to her husband, who had just been fatally stabbed by a gang of assailants.
The couple, Talent (34) and Lillian Gono (33), had called for an Uber to take Lillian to Dunoon Hospital as she was in labor early Thursday morning. However, their anticipation quickly turned into horror when Talent was ambushed by a group of about eight men just as he was loading their hospital bag into the car.
According to accounts shared on social media by family friend Toni Tresadern, the attackers brutally assaulted Talent before repeatedly stabbing him in the head, stomach, and chest. They then fled, taking his phone and the couple’s hospital bag.
Lillian, despite being in labor, made her way outside only to be confronted with the devastating sight of her husband lying in a pool of blood. The shock triggered her water to break, and she was forced to deliver their child right there beside him. In a heartbreaking twist, Talent passed away moments after their baby girl was born. The infant has since been named Talent in his memory.
Tresadern, who runs a children’s charity, condemned the attack as “utterly appalling,” revealing that the perpetrators laughed as they left the scene, having taken a life over a phone and baby supplies. Fearful residents remained inside their homes, leaving Lillian to cradle her newborn daughter alone until emergency responders arrived.
The couple, originally from Zimbabwe, had been working towards returning home in April after three years of saving. Talent, a skilled welder, had secured enough funds to start his own hardware and welding business. UK wildlife artist Carol Cook, who had supported their dream, had even sold a painting to help fund Talent’s business aspirations.
Now, Lillian faces the daunting task of raising their two daughters—five-year-old Mia and newborn Talent—without her husband. Jeannie Ross, Lillian’s former employer, has launched a BackaBuddy fundraising campaign to support the family and cover funeral expenses. As of the latest update, R34,770 of the targeted R35,000 had been raised.
Jeannie described Lillian as a pillar of strength and recounted receiving a heart-wrenching voice message from her in shock and despair. “She was sobbing, trying to explain how her husband was brutally attacked and left to die. Moments later, she found herself giving birth right next to him,” Jeannie shared.
The South African Police Service confirmed the incident, with spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi stating that officers found Talent deceased at a local medical clinic due to stab wounds. The case is being treated as a murder and robbery, and authorities are searching for the suspects.
This horrifying event has once again drawn attention to the high crime levels in informal settlements like Joe Slovo, sparking calls for enhanced security and police intervention to protect vulnerable communities. The Zimbabwean community in South Africa has expressed condolences and rallied around Lillian, offering support during this painful period.
As investigations continue, authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward to ensure justice is served for Talent and his grieving family. Meanwhile, the BackaBuddy fundraiser remains active, providing much-needed financial assistance for Lillian and her two young daughters as they navigate life after this unimaginable tragedy.
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