Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala theft: ‘Mastermind’ and former cleaner convicted
Imanuwela David and former Ramaphosa farm cleaner Froliana Joseph have been convicted in the Phala Phala theft case, while her brother was acquitted.
A man from Cape Town has been found guilty of stealing $580,000 from President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm, alongside a former cleaner who aided in the burglary. Former trial participant Ndilinasho Joseph was acquitted of all charges. Regional magistrate Peter Manthata convicted Imanuwela David of conspiracy to commit housebreaking with intent to steal, housebreaking with intent to steal, theft, and money laundering at the Modimolle Regional Court on Monday.
The case was adjourned for pre-sentence proceedings. Manthata criticized the investigation as poorly conducted, noting there was a lack of fingerprints or usable video footage implicating the perpetrators. He suggested there could have been mismanagement in the investigation. It is unclear when the case was opened, as it took two years after the theft.
Ramaphosa maintains the money was paid by a Sudanese businessman for 20 buffaloes. The three accused were South Africans of Namibian origin, and their trial commenced in September 2025. The state presented over 20 witnesses, some of whom were deemed hostile during the trial.
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