Card Game Horror: Young Man In ICU After Being Stabbed in Head During Thunee Match

A friendly game of thunee ended in horror when a 22-year-old man from Westcliff was stabbed in the head during an altercation at a Silverglen pool hall, leaving him critically injured in intensive care.

Keith Govender is currently on a ventilator after undergoing emergency brain surgery. What began as a competitive but social card game quickly escalated into a violent attack that shocked those present.

Close friend Kaydin Pillay, who witnessed the incident, said tensions rose during the game — a common occurrence in the high-stakes card game.

“We started playing thunee and Keith and I were on one team. My girlfriend, Saloshni, was on one team with the man who attacked Keith,” Pillay said.

“Keith called thunee and my girlfriend caught him. The suspect got excited that Keith was caught and started swearing. It is normal to argue during thunee, so they both started arguing about something in the game.”

‘Everything Happened So Fast’: Friend Recalls Brutal Attack

Pillay said the atmosphere shifted rapidly as the suspect became increasingly aggressive, despite attempts to defuse the situation.

“The suspect then got angry and started swearing. Keith said there was no need to swear and talk, and if he continued, he would swear as well. I tried to break the ice and joke because I know how heated a game of thunee can get,” he said.

The suspect later threatened Govender before walking away.

“He pointed his finger in Keith’s face and said, ‘don’t make me like a lytie’. Keith argued back and the suspect walked away to the bar,” Pillay said.

Moments later, the violence erupted.

“He climbed and jumped over everyone and stabbed Keith in the head. I quickly caught Keith as he fell to the ground. His body went limp. Keith was not responding, but his eyes were open,” Pillay said.

“Blood was gushing out of his head and nose. Everything happened so fast that we were in shock.”

Pillay described desperately trying to keep his friend conscious as panic unfolded around them.

“I could see the fear in Keith’s eyes. He just was not responding to me,” he said.

Family Faces Mounting Medical Bills as Son Battles for Life After Card Game

Keith’s father, Ashlin Govender, said the family is struggling to come to terms with both the trauma and the financial burden left behind by the attack.

“My son was playing thunee with a mutual friend. He is an older person. The 47-year-old suspect picked up my son to go play cards,” Govender said.

He said witnesses confirmed the suspect produced a knife after the argument appeared to have subsided.

“The suspect took out a stainless steel pocket knife and lunged at my son. He first punched my son, my son hit him back, and then everything seemed settled,” Govender said.

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“But he waited for an opportunity, climbed over people and hit my son on the left side of his head.”

The blade reportedly penetrated Keith’s skull, causing severe brain damage.

“He was rushed to Chatsmed Hospital for major brain surgery. He lost a lot of blood, but they managed to save him,” Govender said.

“He underwent a five-hour operation and is now in the ICU on a ventilator.”

The family now faces medical costs of about R300,000, with more expenses expected.

“He needs two more scans which we do not have the funds for. He was on our medical aid until recently when he had to come off after turning 21,” Govender said.

“We are paying cash for everything and it is expensive. My salary is not enough to cover even half.”