Trial into Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm burglary set to begin
Siblings Froliana and David Joseph along, with their accomplice, Imanuwela David, are accused of breaking into the Limpopo farm in 2020 and making off with $580,000 in cash.
FILE: Siblings Floriana and Ndilinasho Joseph, and Imanuwela David in the Bela Bela Magistrates Court on 17 November 2023. Picture: Thabiso Goba/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - The trial into the highly publicised burglary at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm begins on Monday.
Siblings Froliana and David Joseph, along with their accomplice, Imanuwela David, are accused of breaking into the Limpopo farm in 2020 and making off with $580,000 in cash.
The money was game proceeds from a Sudanese businessman who intended to buy 20 buffalo.
The three accused are expected to appear at the Modimolle Regional Court on Monday morning.
During the bail application stage, the State revealed how the trio pulled off the country’s most famous heist.
Froliana, a former cleaner at the Phala Phala farm, allegedly tipped off her brother and his friend about the stash of money, hidden in a sofa at the property.
On 9 February 2020, they allegedly executed the robbery.
David, the alleged mastermind behind the operation, is said to have blown some of the money on cars and expensive alcohol while flaunting it all on social media.
In previously submitted court affidavits, all three indicated their intention to plead not guilty.
The State has lined up 23 witnesses to prove its case.