Phala Phala: R10 million theft case at President Ramaphosa's farm postponed

The case against Imanuwela David, Froliana Joseph and Ndilinasho Joseph relating to the break-in and theft at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm returned to court on Monday.

Limpopo regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, said the matter was postponed to 15 September 2025 for trial in the Modimolle Regional Court.

“The trio are facing counts of conspiracy to commit housebreaking with intent to steal and theft, two counts of housebreaking with intent to steal and theft, and money laundering, which is applicable to the accused one, Imanuwela David,” said Malabi-Dzhangi.

She said on Monday, the state was ready to proceed with the trial.

“However, due to the medical condition of accused number two (Froliana Joseph), an application was made for a postponement by her legal representative. The legal representative of Imanuwela and the state did not oppose, given the medical condition,” she said.

“The court granted the application and the trial is scheduled to commence after three months, starting from 15 September until 08 October 2025.”

The accused are from Namibia but are South African citizens.

“They come from Namibia, but they are citizens of South Africa. They are legally here in South Africa. They have the citizenship of South Africa,” the NPA previously stated.

David was previously denied bail and has been in custody since his arrest in 2023. He is charged alongside siblings Froliana Joseph, who was a domestic worker at the Phala Phala farm and her brother, Ndilinasho.

Ramaphosa’s former housekeeper, Froliana, and her brother, Ndilinasho, who are accused number two and three, were released on R5,000 and R10,000 bail, respectively, in November 2023.