Alleged Phala Phala farm burglary mastermind Imanuwela David and siblings Froliana and David Joseph pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges including conspiracy to commit housebreaking, theft, and money laundering.
They’re accused of stealing $580 000 (about R8 million) — a cash payment from Sudanese businessman Hazim Mustafa for buffaloes — from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Limpopo game farm in February 2020.
Imanuwela remains in custody while the Josephs are out on R5 000 bail each.
The Modimolle Regional Court has ruled that witness identities will be concealed for safety reasons.
The state plans to call over 20 witnesses, present financial records of Imanuwela’s alleged extravagant lifestyle, and show cellphone links between the accused.
The first witness, a former lodge manager, testified about Mustafa’s cash payment and explained how he moved the money from a safe to a couch in a rarely used room at Ramaphosa’s house to keep it secure.
The trial is set to run over three weeks on different dates.
The trial of Immanuela David, Floriana and Ndilinasho Joseph who stand accused of breaking into president Cyril Ramaphosa’s farm and stealing foreign currency in February 2020 set to be heard by Magistrate Peter Manthata of the Modimolle Regional Court #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/i4HudEFqFF
— Pimani Baloyi (@PimaniBaloyi) September 15, 2025
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
First published on African Insider
Also see: President Ramaphosa off the hook in Phala Phala case
