PHALA FARM ROBBERY: TWO ACCUSED CONVICTED AS THIRD WALKS FREE
Modimolle: The Modimolle Regional Court has convicted two of the three accused in the high-profile Phala Phala farm robbery case, while the third accused has been acquitted.
The judgment was delivered on Monday by Magistrate Peter Manthata, bringing a significant development in the criminal trial relating to the theft of US$580 000 (approximately R9 million at current exchange rates) from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm in February 2020.
The accused are Imanuwela David (accused number one), Froliana Joseph (accused number two) and her brother, Ndilinasho Joseph (accused number three).
Following the judgment, Mike Mokgobo of Mokgobo Attorneys, who represents accused numbers two and three, said the defence was satisfied with the outcome in respect of two of the charges against his clients.
“We have managed to achieve the acquittal of accused three and managed to get an acquittal for accused number two on two counts out of three counts. We view this as successful. Unfortunately, we were convicted on count number one,” Mokgobo said.
The outcome means Ndilinasho Joseph has been acquitted, while Froliana Joseph was acquitted on two counts but convicted on one count.
Meanwhile, the legal team representing accused number one, Imanuwela David, said it was satisfied with the judgment but would first consult its client before deciding on the next course of action.
Kwena Matlala Attorneys indicated that it still needed to seek instructions from David following his conviction.
The case stems from the February 2020 break-in at Phala Phala, where US$580 000, reportedly concealed beneath a couch inside the farmhouse, was stolen.
The State alleged that the stolen money was used to acquire luxury vehicles, jewellery and property. Among the purchases presented in court were Mercedes-Benz G63 vehicles, a Porsche, a BMW and a Rolex watch.
The prosecution relied on cellphone records, financial transactions and evidence relating to purchases allegedly made using the stolen foreign currency.
The case attracted national and international attention after former State Security Agency director-general Arthur Fraser opened a criminal complaint in 2022, raising questions about the theft and the subsequent handling of the incident.
The judgment marks a major milestone in one of South Africa’s most politically sensitive criminal cases.
