The community of Tongaat gathered in mourning on Saturday, 28 February 2026, as 37-year-old Leon Munusammy and his two young daughters, 6-year-old Amelia Hope and 4-year-old Elena Faith, were laid to rest. The separate services followed a devastating discovery earlier in the week at their Sastri Circle home in Belvedere, where the bodies of the father and children were found.
The children’s mother, Nicole, was alerted by her helper that something was amiss after the girls’ scholar transport driver reported they had not appeared for school. A neighbour, who had noted blaring music on Monday evening, observed a body through a window on Tuesday morning and alerted authorities. Initial evidence suggests the two young girls were allegedly poisoned via meals purchased on Monday evening.
Leon Munusammy, an employee at a petroleum company, was reportedly separated from his wife and shared custody of their daughters. Communications officer at the Tongaat SAPS, Captain Jasanathan Naidoo, confirmed the details of the police response.
Naidoo said: “Members from SAPS Tongaat responded to a suicide on Sastri Circle in Belvedere, Tongaat. On arrival, On Target Security were present and pointed out a 37-year-old man who was hanging in the lounge. They then pointed out two girls lying on the bed upstairs frothing from the mouth. Paramedics on scene declared the three deceased. A suicide note was found. A case of inquest and two cases of murder have been opened.”
Private security firm On Target was among the first responders at the residence.
Spokesperson Megan Mottiahn reported that teams could not gain immediate access as the property was locked. Mottiahn said: “When our guys gained entry, they found the bodies of the 37-year-old male and two female children. From the looks of it, the children were possibly poisoned. They had been frothing from the mouths before they died.”
The incident has sparked a heavy debate within the community regarding mental health and domestic violence.
The Secretary of the Tongaat Civic Association noted that children are often the innocent victims in such tragedies. The Association said: “This tragedy highlights the need for families to seek the necessary assistance to deal with the pressures that they may face. As a community, we must rally together and offer support.”
Ward 61 Councillor Dolly Munien described the event as devastating. Munien said: “I would not want any family or mother to go through such pain. These were innocent children, and no matter the situation, they should not have been robbed of their lives. I also urge people battling mental health issues or who are victims of domestic violence to seek help.”
However, some residents have pushed back against framing the event solely through a mental health lens. In an impassioned social media post, resident Deepashini Naidoo stated: “I’m sorry, but this is not a mental health issue. This is the ultimate act of violence and abuse. This is murder. The media has tabled this a ‘triple tragedy,’ but the tragedy is two innocent lives taken and another destroyed by this man’s actions. Very often we make excuses for these perpetrators, labelling them as victims. This was abuse—his final act of punishment against the mother.”
Those seeking help or intervention may contact the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) at 0800 567 567, Lifeline South Africa at 0861 322 322, or the Mental Health Society of South Africa (MHSSA) at 011 781 1850.
