Man guilty of stealing cash from farm owned by South African president

In a South African court, Imanuwela David has been found guilty of stealing over $500,000 worth of cash from a farm owned by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2020. The theft, along with conspiracy to commit housebreaking with intent to steal, was committed at the Phala Phala farm in Limpopo province. Fellow cleaner Froliana Joseph was also found guilty of the same charges, while her brother Ndilinasho Joseph was acquitted.

David allegedly broke into the cattle farm in February 2020 and took $580,000 in cash from a sofa. He then spent the stolen money on various luxury items including three Mercedes, a Porsche, two Volkswagens, diamond-encrusted Rolex watches, and a house. David claimed he made the money through diamond and Bitcoin businesses, however, the court dismissed these claims.

Additionally, the court determined that David was the only one of the two convicted individuals who had any of the stolen cash in his bank account. Pre-sentencing is scheduled for November 13. President Ramaphosa has admitted to the theft but denied any wrongdoing. The case, known as the Farmgate scandal, came to light in 2022 when former intelligence chief Arthur Fraser claimed Ramaphosa had concealed the theft from police and tax authorities.

Ramaphosa claimed to know nothing about the theft and an independent panel found he could have questions over the burglary. Although MPs voted against an impeachment inquiry, the constitutional court ruled parliament's decision unlawful in May, and Ramaphosa blocked the inquiry in July.