Phala Phala verdict splits siblings as court convicts two
MODIMOLLE — The Modimolle Regional Court on Monday convicted Froliana Joseph, a former cleaner at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm, and Imanuwela David of conspiring to commit housebreaking and theft. The court acquitted Joseph’s brother, Ndilinasho David Joseph, on all charges arising from the February 2020 burglary in which US$580,000 was stolen.
The cash had been hidden in a couch at the Limpopo farm near Bela-Bela. Prosecutors said Froliana Joseph, who worked there on a temporary basis, had told the burglars where to find it. At trial, the State presented cellphone records showing contact among the three accused before the break-in and placing their phones near the farm around the time it happened, Eyewitness News reported.
David disputed the source of the money
Much of the State’s case against David centred on what he bought after the burglary. Prosecutors linked the stolen dollars to purchases that included luxury vehicles, property and a diamond-encrusted Rolex. David denied stealing the cash and told the court that a friend in Namibia had given him the money he spent.
Reading his judgment, Magistrate Peter Manthata detailed purchases including a R450,000 BMW M5 and two Mercedes-Benz G63s valued at R1.2 million each. The prosecution and defence had completed their closing arguments in August. Monday’s verdict leaves David and Froliana Joseph facing sentencing and ends the case against her brother.
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