27-05-2025
Phala Phala case postponed in regional court
The robbery in which foreign currency to the amount of $580 000 in cash (R10,4 million) was hidden in a sofa, was stolen from Ramaphosa's residence made international headlines. After an initial comprehensive investigation process, Ramaphosa was later cleared of any wrongdoing.
The controversial farm theft scandal nearly brought down the president when the news broke. The game farm is situated 43 km west of Bela-Bela in the Waterberg region.
The three siblings accused of the robbery back in February of 2020 appeared before the Modimolle Regional Court on Monday with magistrate Peter Manthata presiding over the matter.
According to the records, one of the accused, Floriana David, was a housekeeper at the residence of pres. Ramaphosa on his farm outside of Bela-Bela. She allegedly tipped off her brothers, Ndilinasho Joseph David and Imanuwela David, about the obscene amount of foreign currency hidden in a sofa in the residence.
The mastermind for the robbery is believed to be Imanuwela David. He is also the only one of the three accused who didn't make bail as he was considered a flight risk. He has been charged with housebreaking, theft, money laundering and conspiracy to break in with the intention of theft. Floriana and Ndilinasho were both charged with conspiracy to break in with the intention of theft. They were granted bail. Floriana's bail was set at R5000 and Ndilinasho's bail was R10 000.
Before the accused appeared before the court on Monday, Mashudu Malabi, NPA spokesperson for the Limpopo Division, stated that the defence will apply for a postponement.
The presiding officer magistrate Peter Manthata heard the defence's application for postponement on the grounds that accused number two, Floriana David, is not medically fit to testify at present.
The court accepted into evidence a doctor's note stating the condition of the accused. The case was then postponed on the grounds of Floriana David being highly pregnant and close to her delivery date.
The case will continue before the Modimolle regional court on Monday, 15 September 2025. The court proceedings are planned to last approximately four weeks in total, during which witnesses will also be called to the stand to testify.
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