Manna Naidoo's family questions use of his name in US white cross farm-murder campaign

The daughter of slain former Verulam mayor Sagadava "Manna" Naidoo has expressed concerns over the use of her father's name in a US white cross farm-murder campaign. The Lex Libertas organization, which organized the campaign, erected 3,000 white crosses in Washington DC to highlight farm murders and push for self-governance in South Africa.

Despite the family's lack of consultation, the organization claims that permission was not required and that Naidoo's death met their definition of a farm murder. Naidoo's daughter, Velash Lombaard, became aware of the campaign through media coverage and expressed her discomfort with her father's name being used to support a broader political argument.

She emphasized that her father's life and legacy should be remembered in their full context, focusing on the human tragedy of violent crime, the impact on families, and the pursuit of justice. Lombaard highlighted Naidoo's commitment to public service and his belief in democratic participation and a better future for all South Africans.

She also expressed her grief over the loss of her father and emphasized that his memory should be treated with dignity, care, and respect, rather than being associated with a political narrative. Lex Libertas researcher Misha-Lamé Gericke clarified that the organization did not require Naidoo's family's permission to use his name, as obtaining permission from every family would be impractical given the high number of farm murders recorded over the past decades.

The organization's decision to include Naidoo's name was based on the circumstances of his murder and whether they met the definition of a farm murder, as outlined in the 2019 National Rural Safety Strategy.