Phala Phala Farm Theft Trial: Three Accused Plead Not Guilty to $580,000 Burglary

MODIMOLLE, LIMPOPO, 16 Sept 2025 – The three individuals accused of orchestrating the multi-million dollar theft from President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm in February 2020 have all entered formal pleas of not guilty as their highly anticipated trial got underway.

Immanuela David and siblings Floriana and Ndilinasho Joseph appeared in the Modimolle Regional Court on Monday, where they denied all charges related to the high-profile burglary that sparked a national political scandal.

READ: 'Ramaphosa Aware of $580,000 Stored at Phala Phala Farm', Court Hears

The Charges and the State's Case

The Joseph siblings each face three counts of conspiracy to commit housebreaking and theft. David faces an additional, more serious charge of money laundering.

The state, represented by the prosecutor, outlined a formidable case against the trio. The prosecution revealed it plans to call 22 witnesses to the stand and will present evidence including:

• Cell phone records and mapping data allegedly placing all three accused in the vicinity of the Phala Phala farm around the time of the theft.
• Evidence of cell phone communication between accused number one (David) and two other individuals who have not been arrested.
• Records showing that accused number two (Floriana Joseph) was at one point a part-time employee at the Phala Phala farm, providing insider knowledge.

The state's narrative, as presented, suggests the accused were in the town of Bela-Bela on the nights prior to the incidents and that David, along with the two unnamed individuals, fled the crime scene towards the Kranskop Tollgate after the burglary.

Key Witness Testimony: The Sofa Stash

The state's first witness was called immediately after the pleas were entered. He was identified as the acting lodge manager at Phala Phala at the time of the theft.

In detailed testimony, the witness revealed that he was the one who sold 20 buffalo to a Sudanese businessman, Hazim Mustafa, for $580,000 (approximately R10.8 million at the time) in December 2019.

He then described how he personally handled the cash, stating: “I stuffed the money inside a sofa in a spare bedroom” in President Ramaphosa’s private residence on the farm, believing it to be the safest place. He testified that upon returning from leave in January 2020, he inspected and found the money untouched.

The witness also described discovering the burglary, noting that electronic equipment was left behind, leading him directly to check the sofa, where he found the money was gone.

READ: Malema Gives Ramaphosa Ultimatum: Reverse 'Illegal' Minister Appointment or Face Court

Defense Challenges Credibility

During cross-examination, David’s legal representative immediately sought to poke holes in the witness’s account. The defense questioned whether the witness could truly know who had access to the room at all times, asking:

“You cannot tell the court how many times the house was cleaned or somebody was attending to the house... Did you get any information that Mr. Ramaphosa was coming?”

This line of questioning aims to establish reasonable doubt by suggesting multiple individuals could have accessed the room and been aware of the money's location.

The court has issued an order protecting the identities of all state witnesses, who will be called over the course of the trial. The case is scheduled to continue for two days this week, three days next week, and then from October 6 to 8, 2025.