Bullet-riddled body of missing former mayor found in a cane field after being targeted in farm attack

Cape Town – The bullet-riddled body of the former mayor of Verulum in KwaZulu-Natal has been found in a cane field near his farm.

Manna Naidoo, 74, reportedly disappeared from his Panere farm on Wednesday following a suspected farm invasion, reports said.

Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) said in a statement that Naidoo’s family discovered he was missing on Wednesday, May 25 when they went to check on him.

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His family found his home on Panere Farm unlocked with four firearms missing from Naidoo’s safe and a search ensued.

“The family contacted Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) at 12:29 for assistance after they discovered his home on Panere Farm unlocked and four (4) firearms missing from the safe” read the statement.

Former mayor/farmer missing after farm invasion, Canelands, KZN.
Manna Naidoo (72) went missing on Wed from Panere Farm: four firearms are missing from the safe. His white Toyota Hilux bakkie with reg NJ 777 was also stolen. An extensive search for Naidoo is underway. Via RUSA. pic.twitter.com/svI2ppQckg

— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) May 25, 2022

“An intense search was conducted by members of Reaction Unit South Africa, the South African Police, Community Organisations and civilian volunteers throughout yesterday and resumed this morning,”

“Naidoo’s body was recovered by a search team who were patrolling the cane fields. He appears to have been shot multiple times,” Rusa said in another statement.