Cellphone data shows Phala Phala burglars had extensive prior contact

Cellphone data presented in court shows the accused Phala Phala burglars had extensive contact prior to breaking into President Cyril Ramaphosa’s farm.

On Wednesday, a data analyst, who cannot be named to protect his identity, testified in the burglary trial held at the Modimolle Regional Court in Limpopo.

Imanuwela David, along with siblings Ndilinasho and Froliana Joseph are charged with breaking and entering into President Cyril Ramaphosa’s farm and making off with US$580,000 in cash.

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Testifying in court, the data analyst tracked the movements of the six people allegedly behind the robbery.

They include the three accused persons, the transporter who turned State witness and two adult males who have since fled to Namibia.

The analyst said that on the day of the robbery, their cellphone data shows they were all in the Bela Bela CBD.

The analyst said later that day, their phones were also pinged in the vicinity of the Phala Phala farm.

“The handsets with cellphone numbers associated with these individuals activated cellphone towers in the vicinity of Phala Phala farm around the same times.”

The trial resumes on Friday for cross-examination.