BREAKING NEWS 🚨
Two Found Guilty Over $580,000 Theft at Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala Farm
The Modimolle Regional Court today, Monday found two of the three accused guilty of conspiracy to commit housebreaking and theft in connection with the February 2020 burglary at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm.
Imanuwela David, whom the State identified as the alleged mastermind, and former temporary farm worker Froliana Joseph were found guilty.
Joseph’s brother, Ndilinasho Joseph, was acquitted of all charges.
The case relates to the theft of US$580,000 in cash, which was hidden beneath a couch inside Ramaphosa’s farmhouse. The money was payment for buffalo purchased by a businessman.
The State relied largely on circumstantial evidence, including cellphone records placing the accused near the farm, financial transactions and David’s alleged spending spree following the burglary.
The court heard that David allegedly used the stolen money to purchase luxury vehicles, including two Mercedes-Benz G63s, a Porsche and a BMW M5, as well as property and a Rolex watch.
The defence challenged the State’s evidence, arguing that there was no direct forensic evidence, such as fingerprints or DNA, linking the accused to the burglary.
The three accused, all Namibian nationals, were arrested in November 2023. The trial began in 2025 before Magistrate Peter Manthata.
The matter has been postponed to the 13th of November 2026 for sentencing.