Husband of slain Zainab Jacobs appeals for privacy of their children

In an exclusive interview with the Cape Argus sister newspaper, the Weekend Argus, the husband of murdered mother Zainab Jacobs has spoken out for the first time since her death. 

Zainab and her sister, Gouwah Smith-Newman, were shot and killed in Mitchells Plain last week, allegedly by their brother, Ederees Smith after a domestic dispute allegedly over his kids.

Smith was later arrested and remains in custody.

Jacobs said the past week has been unbearable. "Their lives changed drastically over the past week. 

"The older one understands, and with people talking, it also takes a toll on him. I am going through the most too," he said.

"All I want to do is protect their well-being and get them back into society again, allow them to adapt, give them the space. I don’t want to fight."

Jacobs said the community needed to understand that there are legal and religious processes. "The people have done enough damage. Now the judges, lawyers and social workers must have the final say.

"If they decide the boys have to go back, then I will not fight, as much as it will hurt me, because I formed a bond, especially with the younger one who lived with us for three years," he explained.

"In fact, we had a meeting in the week to speak about returning the kids, but by law I am not allowed to. By Islamic beliefs the children should be with their mother, and I respect that. But there is an ongoing court case, and I also have to respect that," he said.

Jacobs also addressed the rumours circulating on social media about him allegedly paying lawyers and social workers R100 000 to remove the children from their parents, stating he was not happy with how he was being painted.

"I have no hate towards Wadee-ah.

"My father-in-law asked to speak to him, they spoke, and later they visited the kids. I apologised to my father-in-law because I don’t want bad blood," he recalled.

Zainab’s father, Mogamat Nadeem Smith, shared those sentiments and harboured no resentment towards Jacobs.

"I also know it must have taken a lot for him to say sorry, So we leave it in Allah's hands, " he said.

Jacobs said one thing remains clear his wife’s love for the children.

"The kids came to us for help. Look where it got us, to a murder case. It shows what we fought for. My wife and I loved those kids, with all of us."

The family was expected to appear in the Mitchells Plain Magistrate’s Children’s Court on Thursday, but the matter was postponed. The court previously ordered that the children remain in Zainab’s custody until January 2026.

Outside the court, the children’s mother Wadee-ah said "I just want my children back, I am hurt about my sisters-in-law and yes, my husband is in jail and he is gonna serve his time."

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