“He Wasn’t Himself” Grieving Mother Tells Of Final Hours After Dad Allegedly Poisons Children

Durban mother Nicole Govender has spoken publicly for the first time following the deaths of her daughters, six-year-old Amelia Hope and four-year-old Elena Faith, in a suspected poisoning incident last week.

Police believe the girls’ father, Leon Munsamy, poisoned them before taking his own life. Investigators are examining reports that the children were given a meal from McDonald’s shortly before the tragedy.

Govender, 37, an IT and software specialist, described the period leading up to the incident as strained. She said her former husband began sending unsettling messages after discovering she had started a new relationship.

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She characterised the messages as mocking and emotionally manipulative, adding that the tone intensified in the days before the girls’ deaths.

The couple separated in April last year after eight years of marriage and finalised their divorce in August. Govender alleged that the relationship had broken down amid what she described as abusive and controlling behaviour.

Rising Tensions Before the Children’s Final Visit

Days before the tragedy, Munsamy’s brother arrived unexpectedly at Govender’s home to discuss rumours regarding her private life. During that visit, she shared details about the difficulties she had experienced during her marriage.

She later realised Munsamy had been sitting in a vehicle outside during the discussion. According to Govender, he emerged and halted the conversation.

She alleged that matters escalated further when he confronted her new partner, resulting in a physical altercation.

The following day, Munsamy visited her mother’s home in Belvedere. Govender said the meeting began with an apology but soon developed into another argument.

By Sunday, however, she said his demeanour shifted. He called to arrange time with the children. In hindsight, she believes he may already have been planning the events that followed.

Munsamy collected the girls after school on Monday and offered to prepare them for school the next day. Govender declined his suggestion to pack their lunches the night before, saying she preferred to provide fresh food.

She noted that since their divorce it was uncommon for him to keep the girls overnight during the school week. Nevertheless, she agreed to the arrangement.

When he fetched them, he reportedly asked the household helper for their school bags and lunch boxes, stating that he would organise their meals himself.

‘I Knew Something Was Wrong’: The Moment Everything Changed

The plan was for Munsamy to take the girls to school the next morning, after which scholar transport would bring them home.

When the transport drove past the house without the children, Govender’s helper contacted her immediately. She initially assumed plans had changed. Attempts to reach Munsamy by phone were unsuccessful.

After his brother also confirmed he had not heard from him, Govender prepared to report the matter to police. Soon afterwards, she received another call urging her to go directly to his house. She said his tone left her fearing the worst.

Upon arrival, emergency services had already cordoned off the property. The children’s helper stood outside in tears. A paramedic known to Govender from the school informed her that her daughters had died.

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

Govender said she has not seen the note reportedly left behind and that investigators have yet to share its contents with her. She believes understanding what occurred that day may help her find some closure.

She suspects the children were poisoned after being given fast food shortly after being collected. Packaging from McDonald’s was reportedly discovered at the scene. The thought that their favourite meal may have been involved remains deeply distressing for her.

A Separate Farewell and a Mother’s Grief

In the aftermath, Govender said she faced pressure from Munsamy’s family to hold a joint funeral service. She declined, stating she could not share a memorial with the person she believes was responsible for her daughters’ deaths.

Instead, she arranged a separate service for Amelia and Elena and personally oversaw the details.

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

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Govender has also responded to criticism on social media from those who questioned why she did not cry publicly. She said grief affects individuals differently and that she has been coping through shock, anger and numbness.

She keeps her daughters’ ashes in an urn at home and says she often instinctively protects it, as though they were still physically present.

The tragedy has reopened earlier trauma in her life. Govender revealed that her own father died in similar circumstances years ago and believes Munsamy was aware of how deeply that loss had affected her.

Amelia, who was autistic, only began speaking at the age of four. Govender recalled the joy of hearing her say “Mummy” for the first time. She described her as gentle and affectionate, adding that she had recently been thriving at Silverdale school.

Elena was energetic and outspoken. Govender remembered her as fearless and constantly talking. The sisters loved dressing alike and spending time together.

Now, supported by family and her employer, Govender is taking each day as it comes. Trauma counselling is expected to form part of her healing journey.

Munsamy’s family declined to comment.