Phala Phala: Ramaphosa not part of 23 state witnesses set to testify during trial

JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa is not part of the 23 state witnesses scheduled to testify during the trial of the burglary at his Phala Phala farm.

On 9 February 2020, the farm was broken into with the perpetrators making off with 580 thousand us dollars in cash, hidden inside a sofa. 

The money was given to the president’s farm by a Sudanese businessman who wanted to buy 20 buffalo.

On Monday, Imanuwela David, Froliana and David Joseph appeared at the Modimolle Regional Court, where they are each charged with burglary and theft.

Despite owning the Phala Phala farm, Ramaphosa will play no part in the trial.

This has been confirmed by the spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Limpopo, Mashudu Malabi-Dhzangi.

Asked if Ramaphosa is going to be part of the state's 23 witnesses,Malabi-Dhzangi said no.

"No, the people who are going to be involved in this are the managers of the farm, they are the complainants in this matter."

Monday was set to be the first day of the trial, however, it was postponed due to one of the accused, Froliana Joseph, being heavily pregnant.