South African father poisons his 2 daughters before taking own life

Thursday, March, 5 2026 - A South African woman, Nicole Govender has broken her silence about the devastating los of her two daughters, the six-year-old Amelia Hope and four-year-old Elena Faith, who d!ed in a suspected poisoning incident. 

Police said believe the girls’ father, Leon Munsamy, poisoned them before taking his own life. father.

The children were reportedly given a McDonald’s meal shortly before the tragedy.

Speaking with the post, Govender, 37, an IT and software specialist, described the days leading up to the incident as tense and unsettling. 

She said her former husband began sending troubling messages after learning she had entered a new relationship.

According to Govender, the messages included remarks she described as mocking and emotionally manipulative. 

The communication intensified in the days before the incident.

The couple had separated in April last year after eight years of marriage and finalised their divorce in August. 

Govender alleged the relationship had deteriorated due to what she described as abusive and controlling behaviour.

Days before the tragedy, Govender said Munsamy’s brother arrived unexpectedly at her home to discuss rumours he had heard about her personal life. 

 During the visit, she opened up about the difficulties she had experienced during her marriage.

She later realised Munsamy had been sitting in the vehicle during the conversation. Govender claimed he suddenly emerged and stopped his brother from continuing the discussion.

The situation quickly escalated. Govender alleged that Munsamy confronted her new partner, leading to a physical altercation.

The following day, she said Munsamy visited her mother’s home in Belvedere. Govender said the visit began with an apology for the previous day’s behaviour before turning into an argument.

During the dispute, she claims he made a threatening remark about coming after her.

By Sunday, however, Govender said his tone had changed dramatically. 

She received a phone call from him to arrange a visit with their daughters.

Looking back, she believes he may already have been planning the events that followed.

Munsamy asked to fetch the girls after school on Monday afternoon and suggested he would prepare them for school the next morning.

Govender said she declined his request to prepare their lunches the night before, insisting she would pack fresh food instead.

Since their divorce, Govender said it was unusual for him to request to keep the girls overnight during the school week. Despite this, she agreed to the arrangement.

When he collected the children on Monday afternoon, he reportedly told the household helper to give him their school bags and lunch boxes, saying he would organise their lunches himself.

The plan was for Munsamy to take the girls to school the following morning. Their school transport service would then collect them in the afternoon and return them to Govender’s home.

However, when the transport drove past the house the next day without the girls, Govender realized something was wrong. 

Her helper contacted her immediately. 

Govender said she initially thought Munsamy might have changed the plan without informing her.

She attempted to contact him, but he did not answer his phone.

Govender then called his brother, who said he had not heard from him either. 

As concern grew, she rushed home and prepared to report the situation to police.

Shortly afterwards, Munsamy’s brother called again and urged her to go directly to his house. Govender said something in his voice made her fear the worst.

When she arrived, emergency responders had already cordoned off the property. 

The children’s helper was standing outside the home in tears. 

Govender said she immediately asked where her daughters were. 

A paramedic she recognized from school approached her and confirmed the devastating news.

The girls were later found d3ad in their beds, while Munsamy had taken his own life inside the house.

Govender said she has still not seen the note reportedly left behind. 

According to her, investigators have not yet shared the contents of the letter with her.

She believes understanding what happened that day could help her find some measure of closure.

Govender said she believes the girls were poisoned after being given fast food shortly after they were collected. 

Food packaging from McDonald’s was reportedly found on the table.

The possibility that their favourite meal was used to harm them remains deeply distressing for her.

In the days that followed, Govender said she faced additional pressure from Munsamy’s family regarding funeral arrangements. 

 he alleged they wanted a joint service for the children and their father.

She declined, saying she could not share a memorial space with the person she believes was responsible for her daughters’ d3aths.

Instead, she organized a separate farewell ceremony for Amelia and Elena. Govender said she personally planned every detail of the service.

Shortly before the funeral, she and her sister prepared the girls for burial. She described the experience as the most painful moment of her life.

The grieving mother has also faced criticism on social media from people who questioned why she did not appear to cry publicly during the funeral.

Govender said grief affects people in different ways and that she has been coping through a mixture of shock, anger and numbness.

She said she continues to feel the presence of her daughters in everyday moments at home.

Their ashes are kept in an urn, and she sometimes finds herself instinctively protecting it as though the girls were still around.

The tragedy has also resurfaced earlier trauma in Govender’s life. 

She revealed that her own father d!ed in a similar manner years ago.

Govender believes Munsamy knew how deeply that experience had affected her.

Amelia, the eldest daughter, was autistic and only began speaking at the age of four. 

Govender said hearing her child say “Mummy” for the first time was something she had prayed for.

She described Amelia as quiet but affectionate, noting that the child had recently begun thriving at Silverdale school.

Elena, meanwhile, was energetic and outspoken. Govender recalled her youngest daughter as playful, fearless and constantly talking.

Despite their occasional sibling disagreements, the two girls were extremely close. They loved dressing in matching outfits and spending time together.

Govender said the sisters barely had the opportunity to experience life before it was taken from them.

She is currently receiving support from family members and her employer as she navigates the aftermath of the tragedy.

While trauma counselling is expected to form part of her healing process, she says she is currently coping one moment at a time.