While drama was unfolding at the Constitutional Court in Braamfontein where the EFF and the ATM were in action against President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm scandal, there was more theatrics over the same subject at the Modimolle Regional Court in Limpopo.
At the same time, Imanuwela David, Floriana Joseph, and her brother Ndilinasho Joseph, appeared in the Limpopo court on Tuesday for a pre-trial conference.
The three are accused of stealing $580 000 from Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm in 2020.
During the brief appearance, the State announced it was preparing to call 23 witnesses in the trio’s trial.
According to the prosecution, the witnesses will likely include experts, eyewitnesses, and individuals with knowledge of the events surrounding the theft.
Floriana and Ndilinasho are charged with housebreaking and theft, while David is accused of being the mastermind behind the 2020 theft.
He is facing charges of conspiracy to commit housebreaking, two counts of housebreaking and money laundering.
The matter was postponed to May 19, 2025, for trial.
Ramaphosa has since denied any wrongdoing, saying the money that was hidden in furniture at his farm was proceeds of an auction. He, however, failed to report the theft to the police.
The theft has sparked significant political and legal controversy, with allegations of a cover-up and questions surrounding Ramaphosa’s handling of the incident.
Meanwhile, the EFF and the ATM are challenging the lawfulness of setting aside the Section 89 report, which contained negative findings against Ramaphosa in the apex court.
The Star