Phala Phala
The trial in the high-profile case involving the 2020 theft at South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm – allegedly carried out by a group of Namibians – has begun, with the state expected to call 23 witnesses.Proceedings kicked off on Monday at the Modimolle Regional Court in Limpopo, South Africa, and are set to run until 13 June. No new suspects are expected to be charged at this stage.
Three Namibian nationals – Imanuwela David and siblings Floriana and Ndilinasho Joseph – stand accused of breaking into Ramaphosa’s farm and stealing over US$580 000 (approximately N$10 million at the current exchange rate), reportedly stashed inside a sofa.
The trio initially appeared in the Bela-Bela Magistrate’s Court before the matter was transferred to Modimolle.
The Joseph siblings have been released on bail, while David, believed to be the ringleader, remains in custody.
David allegedly smuggled N$7 million into Namibia by crossing the Orange River in a canoe on 12 June 2020, entering the country illegally.
He was arrested two days later on Independence Avenue in Windhoek for violating immigration laws and Covid-19 lockdown regulations. After pleading guilty, he was deported to South Africa in November 2021.
The State is expected to call at least 23 witnesses, including the lead investigating officer who previously testified during the bail hearings.
President won’t testify
According to SABC News, David also faces a charge of money laundering. He is accused of using the stolen funds to purchase assets and conceal financial transactions – a move authorities believe was part of an effort to obscure the origin of the funds.
Reporting live from court, SABC journalist Pimani Baloyi noted that the trial’s opening day may be shaped by a defence application, which could influence how proceedings unfold.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in Limpopo, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, confirmed the readiness of the State’s case. “We are proceeding with 23 witnesses prepared to testify, including the investigating officer who handled the case from the start,” she said.
She also reiterated that no further suspects are expected to be charged for now, although international extraditions were previously under consideration if additional suspects were identified abroad.
Asked whether Ramaphosa himself would take the stand, Malabi-Dzhangi said it was unlikely. Instead, a representative from the farm – likely a manager or administrator – is expected to testify on the president’s behalf.
The alleged theft of large sums of foreign currency from the South African president’s farm has drawn intense public and media scrutiny both in South Africa and Namibia.
Three Namibian nationals – Imanuwela David and siblings Floriana and Ndilinasho Joseph – stand accused of breaking into Ramaphosa’s farm and stealing over US$580 000 (approximately N$10 million at the current exchange rate), reportedly stashed inside a sofa.
The trio initially appeared in the Bela-Bela Magistrate’s Court before the matter was transferred to Modimolle.
The Joseph siblings have been released on bail, while David, believed to be the ringleader, remains in custody.
David allegedly smuggled N$7 million into Namibia by crossing the Orange River in a canoe on 12 June 2020, entering the country illegally.
He was arrested two days later on Independence Avenue in Windhoek for violating immigration laws and Covid-19 lockdown regulations. After pleading guilty, he was deported to South Africa in November 2021.
The State is expected to call at least 23 witnesses, including the lead investigating officer who previously testified during the bail hearings.
President won’t testify
According to SABC News, David also faces a charge of money laundering. He is accused of using the stolen funds to purchase assets and conceal financial transactions – a move authorities believe was part of an effort to obscure the origin of the funds.
Reporting live from court, SABC journalist Pimani Baloyi noted that the trial’s opening day may be shaped by a defence application, which could influence how proceedings unfold.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in Limpopo, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, confirmed the readiness of the State’s case. “We are proceeding with 23 witnesses prepared to testify, including the investigating officer who handled the case from the start,” she said.
She also reiterated that no further suspects are expected to be charged for now, although international extraditions were previously under consideration if additional suspects were identified abroad.
Asked whether Ramaphosa himself would take the stand, Malabi-Dzhangi said it was unlikely. Instead, a representative from the farm – likely a manager or administrator – is expected to testify on the president’s behalf.
The alleged theft of large sums of foreign currency from the South African president’s farm has drawn intense public and media scrutiny both in South Africa and Namibia.
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