Court Convicts Two in Ramaphosa Farm Theft

A South African regional court in Limpopo convicted two people on Monday over the 2020 break-in at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala luxury farmhouse.

The court found Imanuwela David, the alleged mastermind behind the heist, guilty of three charges, including money laundering.

Evidence presented during the trial revealed that David engaged in a massive spending spree following the break-in, purchasing luxury vehicles, real estate, and a diamond-encrusted Rolex watch.

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The court also convicted a former farm cleaner of conspiracy to commit housebreaking with intent to steal, while acquitting her brother of all charges.

The scandal originally erupted in June 2022 when the nation’s former spy chief filed a formal police complaint, accusing Ramaphosa of concealing the theft of $4 million in cash allegedly hidden inside farm furniture.

Court convicts two in Ramaphosa farm theft (News Central TV) — The accused, Imanuwela David, Froliana Joseph and her brother Ndilinasho Joseph, who are linked to the theft of $580,000 USD at South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s farm, Phala Phala, appear in the Magistrate’s Court in Modimolle, South Africa, on October 7, 2024. Credit: REUTERS/Alet Pretorius.

Ramaphosa denied any cover-up or tax evasion, maintaining that the funds totalled $580,000 from a legitimate sale of 20 buffaloes.

The high-profile burglary nearly shattered Ramaphosa’s political career and threatened his leadership of the African National Congress (ANC) ahead of the 2024 elections.

Although the ANC-controlled parliament initially voted down impeachment proceedings in 2022 following an independent panel’s misconduct findings, the Constitutional Court overturned that decision in May, reopening the path for parliamentary review while Ramaphosa continues to challenge the underlying investigative report.

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Abisoye Adeyiga

Abisoye Adedoyin Adeyiga holds a PhD in Languages and Media Studies and a Master’s in Education (English Language). Trained in digital marketing and investigative journalism, she is passionate about new media’s transformative power. She enjoys reading, traveling, and meaningful conversations.