Trial of Phala Phala farm theft accused set for May next year

The trial of the three accused in the February 2020 theft at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm has been set to start in the Modimolle Regional Court in Limpopo on the 19th of May next year.

The accused, Immanuela David and Floriana and Ndilinasho Joseph, allegedly broke into Ramaphosa’s farm and stole over 580 000 US dollars that had been hidden in a sofa.

Accused #1 David was denied bail because he’s considered a flight risk, while his co-accused were granted bail.

During the pre-trial proceedings, the state said that it had lined up 23 witnesses to testify in the trial against the three accused, David and the Joseph siblings.

They face charges of housebreaking, theft and conspiracy to commit housebreaking with intent to steal.

Prosecutor Advocate Nkhetheni Munyai says the only evidence that requires a technical aspect is cell phone mapping.

“The state is ready that the matter can be set down for trial. The state intends to call about 23 witnesses in the matter. That number may be reduced. Some of the evidence may be dealt with in terms of statute like your 212, Section 216 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 and evidence of technical nature is only that of cell phone mapping.”

Meanwhile, Floriana and Ndilinasho Joseph’s lawyer, Mike Mokgobo, has indicated that he will call five witnesses, including the two accused.

“On behalf of accused #2 and accused #3, your worship, we confirm that we have taken the instruction in respect of the witnesses. Your worship, the two accused will testify further to that. We are going to call three witnesses; in total (they) will be five, your worship,” says Mokgobo.

Magistrate Peter Manthata then set the trial date.

“Your case is postponed until the 19th of May 2025 for trial. Accused #1, you’re still in custody. Accused #2 and #3, you’re on extended bail. You’re warned to be in court 8h30 which failure a warrant of arrest which means bail money will be forfeited to the state,” says Manthata.

The trial will run for a period of about three weeks, from the 19th of May, depending on whether inputs by witnesses would have been finalised.

The siblings Floriana and Ndilinasho Joseph have been released on R5 000 and R10 000 bail, respectively.

Accused #2 Floriana was a domestic worker at the farm. She’s suspected to have tipped off the other accused about the money.