Two Namibians convicted in N$9.6m Phala Phala theft

A South African court has convicted two Namibians and acquitted a third in connection with the theft of US$580 000 (approximately N$9.63 million) from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm in February 2020.The Modimolle Regional Court on Monday convicted Immanuela David of conspiracy to commit housebreaking with intent to steal, housebreaking with intent to steal, theft and money laundering. It found Froliana Joseph guilty of conspiracy to commit housebreaking with intent to steal but acquitted Ndilinasho David Joseph of all charges.The convictions follow a six-year controversy surrounding the theft, which also exposed allegations of unlawful cross-border operations involving South African police officers pursuing suspects in Namibia.Magistrate Peter Manthata acknowledged weaknesses in the State's case, including the absence of direct evidence identifying the perpetrators and a delay of approximately two years before authorities opened a criminal case. However, he found sufficient circumstantial evidence to convict David and Froliana Joseph.The court heard that David acquired several expensive assets shortly after the burglary, including a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C200 for his girlfriend, two Mercedes-Benz ML vehicles, a Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen Polo, Porsche, diamond-encrusted Rolex watches and a house in Rustenburg.David attributed his wealth to assisting businessmen, delivering mercury, his friendship with a diamond dealer and Bitcoin investments, but the court rejected his explanations.Manthata also rejected witness Takallo's denial that he had received payment in US dollars. During cross-examination, David confirmed that the money concerned was in American currency.The court linked Froliana Joseph to the conspiracy through her communication with David, noting that she was the only domestic worker who maintained contact with him. Investigators, however, found no money connected to the theft in her bank account.Manthata acquitted Ndilinasho David Joseph because, despite his communication with David, he had never worked at Phala Phala and no evidence placed him at the farm.The court also acquitted the accused of a separate housebreaking charge involving Stokkiedraai farm.Controversial cross-border investigationThe convictions revive questions about the conduct of South African police officers who pursued suspects reportedly fleeing into Namibia after the theft.Six months ago, Namibian Sun reported on a 14-page investigation by South Africa's Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), which detailed allegations of unlawful apprehensions, interrogations, unauthorised border crossings and misuse of state resources.The report revealed that South African Police Service (SAPS) officials met Namibian police representatives at no man's land near Noordoewer on 19 June 2020 to exchange information about the theft.An unnamed Namibian police commissioner attended the meeting, where officials reportedly described the case as sensitive and potentially politically damaging.IPID identified Major General Wally Rhoode and Constable Hlulani Rekhoto as central figures in an operation involving surveillance, suspect tracking and travel under false pretences.The watchdog found that officers conducted an unregistered investigation outside formal police procedures, allegedly using state resources to locate suspects and recover the stolen money.Its findings also included allegations that officers bribed suspects to conceal events and incurred fruitless and wasteful expenditure.IPID established that police initially failed to register the theft, leaving it without a case docket or an entry in SAPS crime statistics and annual reports.The watchdog also found that Rhoode failed to inform then national police commissioner General Khehla John Sitole about the theft, despite his reporting obligations under the SAPS Act.Namibia sought legal assistanceThe Public Protector's report revealed that Namibia sought formal legal cooperation with South Africa during the investigation.Namibia submitted a mutual legal assistance request through its High Commission in Pretoria on 3 September 2020. South African authorities forwarded it on 16 September, assessed it in March 2021 and rejected it in August 2021 because it failed to meet legal requirements.Namibia never submitted a revised request.Although the Public Protector made no adverse findings against Namibian authorities, the report documented their involvement in the cross-border investigation.It also confirmed that South African officials, including Rhoode and presidential envoy Bejani Chauke, visited Namibia during the period. They formally linked their visits to national security engagements rather than the theft investigation.The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Limpopo welcomed the convictions and said prosecutors would prepare for pre-sentence proceedings.The court postponed the matter to 13 November 2026, when David and Froliana Joseph will return for pre-sentence proceedings.

Two Namibians convicted in N$9.6m Phala Phala theft

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-04

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Two Namibians convicted in N$9.6m Phala Phala theft

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-04

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