Bellair shooting tragedy: husband said murder-suicide was a ‘mystery’

A WEEK after his son shot dead his wife and then turned the gun on himself, a Bellair man said the motive was a mystery to him and his family.

Sunjeeth Dhanpal Moodley, 50, a self-employed motor mechanic, shot his mother Sharla Devi Moodley, 80, on the right side of her head at close range, and then shot himself in his head at around 7pm last Wednesday night.

His father Balan Moodley, 77, said his wife and son shared a close bond, and their deaths were a mystery to him and his family.

He said there had been no argument or problems between the mother and son that could have led to the shooting.

“The two of them were very close. He loved his mother to bits. Anything she wanted, he got or bought for her. My son lived with us and he took care of us to the best of his ability. Nobody knows what happened, and we ask people not to speculate as we are struggling to come to terms with this tragedy. It is a mystery. Nobody knows what really happened between them that could have led to this. God bless their souls,” Moodley said.

Moodley’s eldest grandson, Radesh Mohabir, said while there was widespread speculation, he wished to clarify initial media reports of there being an argument that sparked the shooting.

“My uncle was a qualified mechanic, and he was loved by everyone who knew him. He was kind and caring and shared those traits with my grandmother. 

“There were no arguments between my uncle and grandmother, and as a family, we are concerned about the false news. Their deaths will remain a mystery to us, as there is still no clue as to why he would do something like this. He treated my grandparents like gold. My grandmother was loved by her family, friends, her 11 grandchildren and one great greatgrandchild,” Mohabir added.

Claude Subramodey, spokesperson for Amawele Emergency Services, said Sunjeeth’s father heard two gunshots coming from inside the house.

On investigation, he found his wife’s lifeless body in the dining room of their home.

“When we arrived at the scene, the father was hysterical and in shock. Inside the house, the woman was found lying in the dining room. Her son was found with a gunshot wound that had entered under his chin and exited through his head. He was found in one of the bedrooms.

“The father told us he was outside the house, moving the cars, when he heard the two gunshots. We treated him for shock,” Subramodey said.

A close friend of Sunjeeth’s, who did not want to be named, said they had known each other for over a decade.

He said that Sunjeeth was well-known and liked by most people. 

“He was always helping people who needed their vehicles repaired. He often went out of his way to assist people. He was a good guy.

“When we got to the scene, there was a lot of speculation about what had happened. His father was traumatised. We had to calm him down. It was sad to see a family torn apart in that manner,” he said.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said they were disappointed with the lack of empathy shown by the ambulance services and police, who did not respond to their calls for help.

The woman said Sharla was still alive and talking when they arrived at the scene.

“When we called for an ambulance, the person who took our call wanted to know if the victims had medical aid. We need ambulance services who put people before profits. Sharla was still alive after the shooting, and if paramedics arrived on time, maybe she would still be alive. She was talking after she was shot. When you are in a situation where help does not arrive on time, and there is nothing you can do, it breaks you.

“We are disgusted by the response from police and paramedics. The ambulance came after an hour. The police did not respond at all.

“My husband had to physically go to the police station to report the shooting. Then, the police told him that they would follow him to the scene, but they only arrived about 20 minutes later. I called my dad at 7.06pm. He arrived from Montford in Chatsworth before the police, who are around the corner,” she added.

Thora Hubl, PRO of the Bellair Community Policing Forum (CPF), said they were concerned about the tragic shooting.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. We recognise the sensitivity of this matter and urge the public to refrain from speculation or spreading unverified information, as this may hinder the ongoing investigation and cause additional distress to those affected. The Bellair CPF are working closely with Bellair SAPS to support the investigation and ensure that accurate information is communicated through the appropriate channels,” she added.

Hubl said Sunjeeth was well-known within the Bellair community, often seen assisting residents with vehicle repairs. 

“News of their tragic passing has left the community in shock and mourning, as they come to terms with the loss of individuals who were part of their daily lives.

“We are concerned about the implications of this tragic incident, particularly in relation to gun-related violence. Our primary focus is the safety and well-being of our residents. We urge community members to reach out to the police or the CPF should they feel their lives are at risk or have any concerns regarding their personal safety,” she said.

Twinkle Naicker, a neighbour and close friend of Sharla, said she was heartbroken by the incident.

“Sharla and I shared a special bond. When my mom passed away a few years ago, she was there for me every step of the way. She helped me overcome my loss and she made me feel like her daughter.

“She and her husband had a unique bond, and she took good care of her family. They were her pride and joy. She loved painting and gardening. 

“She shared her gardening tips and seeds with me. She also advised me on the right time to plant certain fruit, vegetables and plants. Sharla enjoyed talking about her family and her life. She also taught me how to make a delicious vegetable pickle and how to wash and grind my own spices. She will be dearly missed. Her death was horrific and we are struggling to come to terms with it,” Naicker said.

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