Phala Phala Farm Robbery Trial Continues Amid Witness Statement Retractions

Trial Resumes in Modimolle Regional Court

The trial of three individuals accused in the Phala Phala farm robbery case has resumed at the Modimolle Regional Court in Limpopo, South Africa. The proceedings, which continued into early October 2025, focus on the theft of a substantial sum of US dollars from President Cyril Ramaphosa's private game farm in February 2020. The accused are Imanuwela David, and siblings Floriana Joseph and Ndilinasho Joseph.

Accused Face Multiple Charges

The three Namibian nationals face charges including housebreaking, theft, and conspiracy to commit housebreaking with intent to steal. Imanuwela David faces an additional charge of money laundering. The state alleges that $580,000 US dollars was stolen from the farm, money which a state witness testified was proceeds from the sale of 20 buffalo.

Witness Credibility Challenges State's Case

Recent court sessions have seen significant challenges to the state's case, primarily due to inconsistencies in witness testimonies. On October 1, 2025, a state witness, identified as a driver who allegedly transported the robbers, contradicted his initial police statement. He had initially claimed to have been paid $30,000 US dollars but later testified in court that he received only R7,000. This led to the state declaring him a hostile witness and cross-examining him.

Another state witness, an old friend of the accused, also presented conflicting testimony. He claimed to be illiterate and stated that he signed a police statement without understanding its contents, asserting that 'They came with a statement. The only thing I want to say to the court is that I am illiterate. I don't know how to read, I don't know how to write. Those people came with a statement and just got me to sign it.' These developments have prompted the state to apply for a 'trial within a trial' to investigate the circumstances under which these statements were obtained.

Farm Manager's Testimony and Robbery Details

During the trial, Hendrik von Wiellgh, the Phala Phala farm manager, testified that his predecessor had allowed temporary workers, including accused Floriana Joseph, to clean President Ramaphosa's house, a practice that violated farm rules. Von Wiellgh detailed discovering the break-in on February 10, 2020, noting a broken window and an unlocked sliding door. It also emerged that hours before the Phala Phala robbery on February 9, 2020, burglars had struck a neighboring property, stealing only cushions, leading the state to suggest they initially broke into the wrong location.

Background of the Phala Phala Scandal

The Phala Phala farm robbery gained public attention in June 2022 when former State Security Agency head Arthur Fraser filed a criminal complaint against President Ramaphosa. Fraser alleged that Ramaphosa had concealed the crime, engaged in kidnapping, and money laundering, claiming that $4 million US dollars had been stolen. President Ramaphosa confirmed a theft had occurred but denied any wrongdoing, stating that the money was from legitimate sales of game.