Phala Phala trial opens with ex-manager's explosive testimony

Alleged Phala Phala farm burglary mastermind Imanuwela David and his two co-accused pleaded not guilty as the first witness detailed how the stolen cash was concealed in a couch.

- Molefe Seeletsa

The trial got underway at the Modimolle Regional Court in Limpopo yesterday.

David, Froliana Joseph - a former cleaner at the Phala Phala game farm - and her brother, David Joseph, pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit housebreaking with intent to steal, as well as theft and housebreaking.

The alleged mastermind also faces a money laundering charge, to which he entered a not guilty plea.

The trio were arrested in connection with the burglary at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm in February 2020, where $580 000 (about R8 million at the time) in cash was stolen.

The money was a payment from Sudanese businessman Hazim Mustafa for buffaloes bred at Phala Phala.

David remains in custody after being denied bail, while the Joseph siblings are out on R5 000 bail each.

The trial is set to run for three weeks, with the state intending to call over 20 witnesses.