Phala Phala trial: State alleges David used sister as front for money laundering

It's emerged before the court that the alleged mastermind behind the Phala Phala burglary allegedly used his sister as a front to launder some of the money he stole from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s farm.

Imanuwela David is charged alongside siblings Froliana and Ndilinasho Joseph with breaking and entering into the president’s farm and stealing 580 000 US dollars in cash.

Their trial is currently underway at the Modimolle regional court in Limpopo.

As the state’s case nears a close, more details are emerging over how accused number one, Imanuwela David, spent the US dollars he allegedly obtained from the president’s farm in 2020.

A Rustenburg-based conveyancer testified on behalf of the state today that she did the paperwork for a property bought by David’s sister on the 18th of February 2020.

The conveyancer, David’s sister, bought the house on Tlhabane West for R 750 000 cash and later sold it for R 850 000  in December 2023.

However, the proceeds of the sale were not paid to the sister.

“It was paid into the AFROSA General Dealer Pty Ltd account. She signed an instruction to the attorney to confirm the banking details of where the money should be paid.”

Out of the three accused, David is the only one facing a money laundering charge.