By STAFF REPORTER

2 November 2026 – The Modimolle Regional Court has convicted two accused in connection with the theft of US$580 000 from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm in February 2020. The judgment in the case of S v Imanuwela David and Others was delivered on 2 November 2026, by Magistrate Peter Manthata.

Imanuwela David (Accused 1) was found guilty of conspiracy to commit housebreaking with intent to steal, housebreaking with intent to steal, theft at Phala Phala farm and money laundering. Froliana Joseph (Accused 2) was convicted of conspiracy to commit housebreaking with intent to steal.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Limpopo, Limpopo Mashudu Malabi said, however, the court found the accused not guilty of the charge relating to housebreaking with intent to steal at Stokkiedraai farm. Malabi said Ndilinasho Joseph (Accused 3) was acquitted on all charges.

“In delivering judgment, the court noted that there was no direct evidence identifying the accused as the people who stole the US dollars, with the state relying largely on circumstantial evidence.

“The court also highlighted shortcomings in the investigation, including the fact that the criminal case was opened approximately two years after the incident,” she said.

Malabi further said despite these concerns, the court ruled that the circumstantial evidence presented by the state was sufficient to secure convictions against the first and second accused on the respective charges. She added that evidence presented before the court showed that shortly after the burglary, David acquired several assets, including a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C200 for his girlfriend, two Mercedes-Benz ML vehicles, a Volkswagen Golf, a Volkswagen Polo, a Porsche, diamond-encrusted Rolex watches and a house in Rustenburg.

“The court further found that witness Takallo was not being truthful when he denied receiving payment in US dollars. During cross-examination, David confirmed that the money in question was in US dollars.

“David’s explanations regarding the source of his wealth were also rejected by the court. These included claims that he assisted businessmen, delivered mercury, had a friendship with a diamond dealer and accumulated wealth through Bitcoin,” said Malabi.

She said regarding Joseph, the court considered evidence of communication between her and David, noting that she was the only domestic worker who communicated with him, while the other two cleaners did not. Malabi said, however, the court also noted that no money linked to the alleged theft was found in her bank account.

“In the case of the third accused, Ndilinasho Joseph, the court found that although he had communicated with David, he had never been employed at Phala Phala farm and there was no evidence placing him at the farm. He was therefore acquitted on all charges.

“The matter has been postponed to 13 November 2026 for pre-sentencing proceedings in respect of the convicted accused,” she said.

Malabi said the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Limpopo welcomed the convictions, saying the prosecution team would now prepare for the pre-sentencing proceedings and continue presenting its case in accordance with the law and the evidence before the court. She said the authority welcomed the outcome and remained committed to ensuring that justice was served through the proper application of the law.

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