Phala Phala theft accused convicted after luxury car purchases scrutinised - TimesLIVE

Imanuwela David’s sudden acquisition of luxury cars and other expensive assets after the theft of $580,000 (R9.6m) from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm in Limpopo was among the circumstantial evidence that helped secure his conviction.

On Monday, the Modimolle regional court convicted two of the three accused in the case, while the third accused was acquitted on all charges.

Magistrate Peter Manthata found David guilty of conspiracy to commit housebreaking with intent to steal, theft and money-laundering.

Evidence 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 rejected David’s explanations regarding the source of his wealth, including claims that he assisted businessmen, delivered mercury, had a friendship with a diamond dealer and had accumulated wealth through bitcoin.

Froliana Joseph was found guilty of conspiracy to commit housebreaking with intent to steal.

The accused were discharged and found not guilty on the charge relating to housebreaking with intent to steal at Stokkiedraai farm.

Ndilinasho Joseph was acquitted on all charges.

Delivering the judgment, Manthata said there was no direct evidence identifying the accused as the people who stole the dollars and the state’s case was based largely on circumstantial evidence.

The court also remarked on shortcomings in the investigation and noted the criminal case was opened about two years after the incident.

However, the court still found the circumstantial evidence presented by the state was sufficient to secure convictions on the charges outlined above.

Considering the evidence against Froliana, the court noted she was the only domestic worker who communicated with David, while the other two cleaners did not.

However, the court also noted no money linked to the alleged theft was found in her bank account.

In respect of Ndilinasho, the court noted that while he had communicated with David, he had never been employed at the Phala Phala farm and there was no evidence suggesting he had been at the farm. He was acquitted on all counts.

The theft came to light in June 2022 when the former director-general at the State Security Agency, Arthur Fraser, opened a case of kidnapping and money-laundering against Ramaphosa, presidential protection services head Maj-Gen Wally Rhoode and crime intelligence members for allegedly concealing the break-in.

Ramaphosa said the cash was paid to his former farm manager Sylvester Ndlovu by Sudanese businessman Hazim Mustafa on Christmas Day in 2019 as he wanted to purchase a herd of buffalo. The president allegedly failed to report the burglary to the police but chose to report it to Rhoode instead.

The National Prosecuting Authority in Limpopo has welcomed the convictions and will prepare for the pre-sentence proceedings.

The matter has been postponed to November 13 2026 for pre-sentence proceedings in respect of the convicted accused.