Trial into burglary at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm postponed

MODIMOLLE - The trial into the burglary at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm has been postponed due to one of the accused being heavily pregnant.

Lawyers for Froliana Joseph, a former cleaner at the farm, were granted a three-month postponement.

Froliana, along with her brother, David, and their accomplice, Imanuwela David, are accused of breaking into the president’s farm and making off with $580,000 in cash.

The incident allegedly took place on 9 February 2020.

Monday was supposed to be the first day of the highly anticipated trial, with the State having lined up six witnesses.

Froliana arrived in court wearing a face mask, baggy grey sweatpants with her stomach protruding from her black hoodie.

Her lawyer, Relleng Masipa, told the court Froliana was not in a condition to stand trial.

“Accused 2 is not in the position to proceed with the matter due to a medical condition, which we have annexed the letter addressed to the state that there is a medical condition that she’s not in a position to proceed. As a result, we ask that we adjourn the matter to a time where she will be in a good space and a good medical condition to proceed with the matter.”

The trial has been postponed to 15 September.