Durban - The family of former Verulam mayor Sagadava “Manna” Naidoo say they now have a sense of relief following the arrest of three men in connection with his murder.
His son, Yushen Naidoo, said yesterday that the family were pleased that people had been brought to book.
Naidoo, 74, was found murdered in a Cottonlands sugar cane plantation on May 26 after he had been reported missing the day before.
He was found with his hands and legs tied and had sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
Naidoo’s family had contacted Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) to help locate him after they were unable to reach him on his phone as he lived alone. Rusa then discovered his home unlocked and four firearms missing from the safe. His white bakkie was also missing.
At the time, Rusa spokesperson Prem Balram said a helicopter, six cars, bikes and 15 rescue team members were mobilised to search for him.
“We found him 1.5km from his home, and our paramedics certified him deceased and handed him over to the police.”
Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Nqobile Gwala confirmed the arrest: “Three suspects aged between 26 and 45 were arrested and charged with murder, kidnapping and robbery.
“They appeared before the Durban Magistrate’s Court on September 23, and were all remanded until September 30.”
The three suspects, Ignatius Chihoho, Sibongiseni Langa and Clement Richard Mkwanyana, were arrested in the Hazelmere area in Verulam last week.
Yushen Naidoo commended the SAPS Provincial Organised Crime Unit for the arrests.
“The family have a lot of unanswered questions that we hope will be answered soon. The manner in which he was murdered left the whole family distraught – we are still visualising the whole act.”
He added that he had been very close to his father and said he held his father’s values close to his heart, adding that he had left a legacy.
“He was a born leader, he was a leader of the community and the entire family. I hold him in a high regard for his values.”
Canelands councillor and Naidoo’s friend, Geoff Pullan, said he expected the court to deliver justice.
“I served with Manna on the North Local Council, he was a committed community member. His murder seems to be pure criminality. We expect the courts to punish the perpetrators to the full extent of the law.”
The motive for the murder has not been established, however Pullan told The Mercury when the news of Naidoo’s murder broke that farm attacks were rife in northern KwaZulu-Natal.