Joe Slovo man slain as wife gives birth

Excitement turned to tragedy as Zimbabwean national Talent Gono, 34, a soon-to-be-father was stabbed to death just moments before his wife gave birth on Ncanda Avenue in Joe Slovo last week.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Mr Gono’s aunt, Linette Muneri, said Mr Gono had requested an e-hailing taxi just after 4am on Thursday February 20 after his wife Lilian went into labour.

As the driver arrived, Mr Gono rushed to the car to pack in the hospital bag and some clothes and ran back to get Lilian. But it was then that he was attacked by a group of men.

Coming out the door, Lilian found her husband lying in a pool of blood on the ground in Ncanda Avenue and he asked her for some water.

She rushed off to get the water but was overcome with sharp contractions - her baby was coming.

Lilian gave birth to her baby girl, overlooking the sight of her husband's dead body. She was later transported to the Dunoon hospital. She was discharged the following day.

Provincial police spokesman Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said the motive for the attack “is believed to be robbery”.

The 34-year-old man had been declared dead at the scene by medical personnel, he said.

“The unknown suspects fled the scene and are yet to be arrested as Milnerton police continue to investigate the murder.”

Ms Muneri said the family were traumatised and Lilian was too distraught to speak to the media.

Mr Gono had been a very quiet person and had shown an “infinite amount of love” to everyone he had known, she said. He had settled in Milnerton about 12 years ago and had loved his community.

“He loved his own space, and having his immediate family in close proximity.”

Mr Gono’s body would be repatriated and buried in his hometown of Gokwe, in Zimbabwe, as had been his wishes, once the family had raised the money to do that, she said.

Lilian’s employer, Jeannie Ross, launched a BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign for Lilian and her two daughters. She said some of the money would help with Mr Gono’s funeral arrangements. So far the campaign has raised R131 514 towards the R150 000 goal.