Two Found Guilty Over $580,000 Theft At South African President Ramaphosa’s Farm

The court found Imanuwela David and Floriana Joseph guilty of their involvement in the February 2020 theft, while the third defendant, Ndilinasho Joseph, was acquitted of all charges, SABC reports.

Two of the three defendants standing trial over the theft of more than $580,000 from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm have been found guilty by the Modimolle Regional Court in Limpopo.

The court found Imanuwela David and Floriana Joseph guilty of their involvement in the February 2020 theft, while the third defendant, Ndilinasho Joseph, was acquitted of all charges, SABC reports.

Magistrate Peter Manthata ruled that cellphone records sufficiently linked the two defendants, concluding their communication concerned the dollar hidden under the couch at the Limpopo farm.

Considering the evidence in its totality, the only inference I can draw under the circumstances is that the communication between the accused one and two was about the dollar hidden under the couch at the house in the Phala Phala farm. I therefore, find that the two conspired about the breaking in and a stealing of the money in the said house,

Manthata said. The matter has been adjourned until November 13, 2026, for sentencing.

Earlier in the proceedings, the court heard evidence suggesting that David used part of the stolen money to buy his girlfriend a vehicle and help her purchase an apartment.

Manthata said David bought her a Mercedes-Benz C200, 2016 model, valued at about R500,000, and gave her R100,000 towards the deposit for an apartment.

According to the magistrate, the woman eventually purchased the apartment, but their relationship ended in 2021, after which David asked her to return the vehicle.

The accused bought her a Mercedes Benz C200 2016 model worth about R500 000. Hand back the car and she handed it back. There was no cross examination,

Manthata said.