Phala Phala Farm Theft Trial: Witness Testimony Contradicts Police Statement
The trial-within-a-trial in the Phala Phala farm theft case resumed at the Modimolle Regional Court in Limpopo, where a key state witness disputed the veracity of a police statement he signed. This development casts doubt on the prosecution's case against the accused in the alleged 2020 burglary at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s farm.
Key Witness Disowns Affidavit
The witness, whose identity is protected by a court order, claimed that police presented him with a prepared statement in 2022 and pressured him to sign it, despite his illiteracy. "They came with a statement... and just got me to sign it," he testified, speaking through an interpreter. He added that the amount he was given for transporting suspects was R7,000, not US$30,000 as claimed. Hawks detective Ludi Schnelle denied these allegations, stating that he read the statement with the witness and provided an opportunity for changes before the signing.
State Seeks to Declare Witness Hostile
Following the witness's contradictory testimony, the state prosecutor, Nkhetheni Munyai, applied to have him declared a hostile witness. Magistrate Peter Manthate granted the application under Section 190 of the Criminal Procedure Act, enabling the state to cross-examine their own witness. This rare move highlights the prosecution's concern about the witness's reliability and the potential impact on the case. The defense had dismissed the application as “a last kick of a dying horse”.
The Accused and Charges
Imanuwela David and siblings Froliana and Ndilinasho Joseph are charged with housebreaking, theft, and, in David's case, money laundering, related to the alleged theft of US$580,000 from President Ramaphosa's farm in February 2020. The trial is expected to continue, with the prosecution planning to call a total of 22 witnesses. The accused have pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Broader Implications and Unanswered Questions
The Phala Phala farm theft has sparked public outrage and raised questions about the source and handling of the large sum of cash allegedly hidden on the property. The conflicting testimonies and the state's application to declare a witness hostile further complicate the case. The trial is expected to shed light on these unresolved issues and determine the credibility of the various accounts surrounding the incident. Questions remain about why such a large transaction of R8-million was conducted in cash, and in foreign currency, especially when clients “usually” paid via bank transfer.
Testimony Regarding a Neighboring Farm Burglary
A former owner of a neighboring farm testified that his property was burglarized shortly before the Phala Phala incident, with only cushions being stolen. The state argues that this suggests the accused initially broke into the wrong property before targeting President Ramaphosa's farm. This testimony adds another layer of complexity to the unfolding narrative.
| Key Figure | Role |
|---|---|
| Cyril Ramaphosa | President of South Africa, owner of Phala Phala farm |
| Imanuwela David | Accused, allegedly the mastermind behind the theft |
| Froliana Joseph | Accused, sibling of Ndilinasho Joseph |
| Ndilinasho Joseph | Accused, sibling of Froliana Joseph |
| Nkhetheni Munyai | State Prosecutor |
| Ludi Schnelle | Hawks Detective |
