Phala Phala farm cash-in-couch burglary case heads to court
Phala Phala farm in Limpopo was the site of a widely publicised 2020 burglary where over $580 000 in cash was stolen.
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The trial into the 2020 burglary at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm is set to start on Monday, May 19, at the Modimolle Regional Court in Limpopo.
The case has drawn significant attention as it marks a major development in a saga that has captured public and political interest across South Africa for nearly three years.
The accused are siblings Floriana and Ndilinasho David Joseph, along with their alleged co-conspirator, Imanuwela David. They face charges related to the theft of US$580 000 - over R10 million - reported to be payment from a Sudanese businessman for a batch of 20 buffalo. Although the burglary took place in 2020, details only emerged publicly in 2022, sparking intense scrutiny of the president’s response to the incident.
Central to the case is how the trio allegedly accessed the private property and concealed their crime for an extended period. During bail hearings last year, the prosecution stated that Floriana, a former cleaner at Phala Phala, tipped off her brother and his friend about cash hidden inside a couch on the farm.
The robbery reportedly happened on February 9, 2020.
The accused are said to have removed the money hidden in a couch and later used the stolen cash extravagantly. David, identified as the mastermind, allegedly spent the funds on luxury vehicles and high-end goods, displaying his lavish lifestyle on social media.
All three defendants have declared their intention to plead not guilty in court. The prosecution plans to present 22 witnesses, including farm employees, investigating officers, and financial experts who monitored the suspects’ spending patterns following the theft.
While the case focuses on the accused individuals, the broader fallout has weighed heavily on Ramaphosa’s presidency. Questions remain about why the burglary was not reported to the police sooner and concerns about how presidential security handled the recovery of stolen funds outside of formal legal channels.
A parliamentary inquiry in late 2022 suggested that Ramaphosa might face consequences over the matter, though the Constitutional Court subsequently dismissed calls for further legal action. The president has consistently denied any misconduct, maintaining the money was legally earned and that the matter was reported to his security team.
The Phala Phala incident continues to be a politically charged topic, with opposition parties using it to challenge the president’s integrity and transparency. As the criminal trial begins, it is expected to reopen debates about how South African leaders balance private business dealings with public office.
The accused are scheduled to enter their formal pleas as the court proceedings start this morning.