TONGAAT, SOUTH AFRICA — A quiet neighbourhood in Tongaat was left in shock Tuesday after a mother was informed by her children’s school transporter that her two daughters had not attended school, only to discover that the girls had been found dead alongside their father at his Belvedere home.
The incident involved 37-year-old Leon Munsamy, a petroleum company employee, who is alleged to have poisoned his daughters, aged four and seven, before hanging himself. Private security company On Target was called to the scene around 1:20 p.m. but initially could not access the locked house.
Once inside, officers found Munsamy’s body hanging from the ceiling, with the two children also deceased. According to reports, the children appeared to have been poisoned, showing signs of frothing from the mouth.
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Neighbours described the usually quiet Sastri Circle area as being stunned by the discovery. Many said they had heard loud music from the house the previous evening but had not suspected any wrongdoing. Relatives of Munsamy described him as calm and approachable, expressing disbelief at the alleged actions.
“He was always calm. This is shocking,” said Clive Chetty, a family member. He added that the children lived primarily with their mother and were only staying with their father for the weekend. Munsamy had reportedly been living in the Belvedere home since June.
The tragedy has raised serious concerns about mental health, particularly among men. Daniel Chettiar, founder of the Rapid Response Team in North Coast, noted that factors such as separation, financial pressures, and depression can contribute to extreme actions.
“For a man to decide to take his two children’s lives and his own means he had no hope in anything. This is mental illness, not selfishness,” Chettiar said, emphasizing the need for community dialogue and mental health awareness to prevent similar tragedies.
Local leaders and community members expressed grief and called for families to seek help when facing pressures. Ward councillor Dolly Munien described the incident as devastating and urged anyone struggling with mental health or domestic issues to reach out for support.
“It is heartbreaking that innocent children have lost their lives. My prayers are with the family,” she said. Rachael Naidoo, secretary of the Tongaat Civic Association, echoed the sentiment, stressing the importance of community support and intervention in times of family crises.
Activists also weighed in, highlighting the long-term emotional impact on the neighbourhood. Don Perumall, a community activist, called the loss “heart-wrenching” and extended condolences to the family.
The deaths have left the Tongaat community grappling with grief and seeking ways to support families while raising awareness about the dangers of untreated mental illness. This tragedy underscores the critical importance of mental health resources and community vigilance.
Officials and local groups are calling for increased awareness, dialogue, and intervention strategies to prevent such incidents in the future, particularly in situations involving domestic stress, separation, and depression.
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