A quiet neighbourhood in Tongaat has been left reeling after a 37-year-old father and his two young daughters were found dead inside a locked home in the Belvedere area on Tuesday afternoon.
Leon Munsamy and his daughters, four-year-old Emilia and seven-year-old Elana, were discovered at the Sastri Circle property shortly after 1.20pm, according to private security company On Target Security.
The tragic discovery came after the children’s mother was alerted by a school transport driver that the girls had not arrived at school that morning. Concerned, attempts were made to contact Munsamy, but calls reportedly went unanswered. A neighbour then contacted security for assistance.
On arrival, security officers were unable to gain immediate access to the locked home. According to On Target spokesperson Megan Mottiahn, officers eventually entered the premises, where they made the grim discovery.
A 37-year-old man was found hanging from the ceiling, while the bodies of two young girls were located inside the house. It is alleged that the children may have been poisoned before their deaths. The exact circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.
Speculation within the community suggests that Munsamy, who was employed by a petroleum company, was separated from his wife. Family members confirmed that the children primarily lived with their mother and visited their father over weekends. They had reportedly been with him the night before the incident.
Relatives described Munsamy as calm and soft-spoken, expressing shock at the tragedy. They also noted that loud music had been heard coming from the house on Monday evening, though nothing appeared out of the ordinary at the time.
The devastating incident has sparked broader conversations about mental health and the pressures faced by many families. Daniel Chettiar, founder of the Rapid Response Team (RRT) in the North Coast area, said they were called to the scene shortly after the bodies were discovered. He emphasised the growing concern over mental health challenges and suicide rates among men.
Chettiar urged communities to treat mental illness with seriousness and compassion rather than judgement. He highlighted the importance of open dialogue, community support, and accessible mental health resources, stressing that many people silently battle overwhelming emotional and financial pressures.
Ward councillor Dolly Munien described the incident as deeply heartbreaking and said the loss had sent shockwaves throughout Tongaat. She extended condolences to the family and encouraged those facing mental health struggles or domestic difficulties to seek professional help.
Community activist Don Perumall also conveyed his sympathies, calling the loss “heart-wrenching,” while Rachael Naidoo of the Tongaat Civic Association said the tragedy underscored the need for families to seek assistance when facing personal crises. She appealed to residents to rally together in support rather than resort to speculation or blame.
As investigations continue, the community remains united in grief over the loss of two young lives and their father. The tragedy has left many reflecting on the importance of mental health awareness, early intervention, and compassionate community support in times of distress.
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