Ramaphosa unlikely to testify in Phala Phala farm theft case

It’s unlikely President Cyril Ramaphosa will be called to testify in the case against the three people accused of stealing millions of dollars from his Phala Phala farm, in Limpopo.

Imanuwela David (39) Froliana Joseph (31) and her brother, Ndilinasho Joseph (27), appeared before the Bela Bela Magistrate Court on Friday.

During their formal bail application, the Joseph siblings pleaded not guilty to stealing roughly $580 000 in cash from the President’s farm.

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s financial interests came under scrutiny after former spy boss, Arthur Fraser, accused him of attempting to cover-up the multimillion rand farm robbery.

He’s since been cleared of any wrongdoing by the office of the Public Protector and the South African Reserve Bank.

However, some South Africans are still not convinced of his innocence, with them questioning why the money was not banked months after buffalos were apparently bought from the President’s farm.

NPA Limpopo spokesperson, Mashudu Malabi-Ndzangi, says the Phala Phala farm manager, and not President Ramaphosa, is the main complainant in the matter.

The three accused face charges of theft and robbery, while David faces one additional count of money laundering.

Ndilinasho, who made his first appearance after handing himself over to the police on Thursday, has asked the court to consider the fact that he turned himself in voluntarily as it determines his fate.

The suspects remain in custody and due back in court for a bail ruling on Friday.

The state is not opposing bail in the matter. Article by Naomi Kobbie