“The life imprisonment of the three criminals... is not only a blessing to society, but also a powerful testament to the enduring strength of justice.” - daughter of Sagadava “Manna” Naidoo Sagadava “Manna” Naidoo. Picture: Supplied
Three men, who were convicted for the murder of former Verulam mayor Sagadava “Manna” Naidoo, were sentenced to life imprisonment in the Durban High Court on Friday.
Naidoo, a 74-year-old farmer from Canelands, was shot in the head on May 24, 2022. His body was found next to a railway track, metres away from his home.
The accused, Sibongiseni Langa, 30, Clement Nkwanyana, 28, and Ignatius Chihoho, 47, were arrested and charged with murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, unlawful possession of a semi-automatic firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.
They were also sentenced to 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The sentences will run concurrently. They were acquitted on the other charges.
During the trial, it emerged that prior to the incident, the men decided and planned to rob and kill Naidoo.
On the morning of May 24, 2022, Naidoo enlisted help from Langa and another person, Basopa, to repair a bridge on his farm that had been damaged.
Unbeknown to Naidoo, the plan to rob and kill him was already in motion, and Nkwanyana and Chihoho were waiting in the nearby bushes.
At some point, the three men and Basopa accosted Naidoo and forcibly moved him to his farmhouse where his hands and feet were bound.
After removing certain items and cash from Naidoo’s house, he was then placed in his vehicle (a Toyota Hilux) and taken to a secluded spot where he was shot.
According to the post-mortem report, the father of nine suffered a gunshot wound to the head.
Following the sentence being handed down, all three men brought an application for leave to appeal the conviction and sentence, which was refused.
Velash Lombaard, Naidoo's daughter, who spoke to the POST following the sentencing, said she was “deeply moved and profoundly grateful”.
“The life imprisonment of the three criminals, who brutally and callously killed my dad, is not only a blessing to society, but also a powerful testament to the enduring strength of justice. My dad's memory will forever be honoured by this act of true justice.
“As Tata Nelson Mandela once said, ‘The arc of the moral universe may be long, but it bends towards justice’. Today marks a crucial step on the long road to justice. The truth will always surface, the reckoning will come, and justice will prevail.”
Lombaard thanked the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Bob Pillay of the Provincial Organised Crime Unit, and senior State advocate Denardo MacDonald for their efforts to ensure justice was served.
“I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for their tireless work in the apprehension and conviction of these criminals. Their dedication and efforts have ensured that they will remain behind bars for life, and for that, my family and I are deeply thankful. Their commitment to justice has made a profound impact on our lives, and we are forever grateful.”
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