World · Africa · 1 hr ago
Man found guilty of stealing $580,000 from Ramaphosa’s farm
A South African court found Imanuwela David guilty of stealing $580,000 from Phala Phala, a farm owned by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The cash was taken from a sofa during a burglary at the property in Limpopo in February 2020.
A cleaner at the farm was found guilty of conspiracy, while her brother was acquitted.
The court rejected David’s claim that his money came from business, and said his bank transactions and later purchases supported the case against him.
The theft became a political scandal after it came to light in 2022, when allegations that Ramaphosa had concealed it led to questions about his conduct and an impeachment dispute.
Ramaphosa acknowledged the theft but denied wrongdoing.
Sentencing is due on 13 November.
A South African court found Imanuwela David guilty in the theft of $580,000 from Phala Phala farm, owned by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The court found that money David spent on cars came from the farm theft, although it said there was no direct evidence identifying the burglars.
The court heard that David bought several cars, diamond-encrusted Rolex watches and a house.
Froliana Joseph was also convicted, while her brother Ndilinasho Joseph was acquitted.
The case was postponed to 13 November for sentencing.
- Who
- Imanuwela David and Froliana Joseph were convicted. Ndilinasho Joseph was acquitted.
- What
- The court found David guilty in the theft of $580,000 from Phala Phala farm; Joseph was convicted of conspiracy to commit housebreaking with intent to steal.
- When
- The burglary took place in February 2020. The verdict was delivered on Monday, 2 November 2026.
- Where
- Phala Phala farm in Limpopo province, South Africa.
- Why
- The court found that circumstantial evidence, including David’s financial transactions and purchases, supported the state’s case.
The state
Imanuwela David
Source of David's money
The state
The court inferred that the dollars David possessed and spent on cars were stolen from Phala Phala farm.
Imanuwela David
David said he made the money through businesses, including importing and exporting goods.
Evidence about the burglary
The state
The court found circumstantial evidence supported the state’s case, despite no direct evidence identifying the burglars.
Imanuwela David
David’s explanation for the money was rejected by the court.
The burglary took place at Phala Phala farm, where $580,000 was taken.
Former intelligence chief Arthur Fraser brought the theft to light, alleging Ramaphosa had hidden it from police and tax authorities.
The court found David and Froliana Joseph guilty and acquitted Ndilinasho Joseph.
The case was scheduled to return to court for sentencing.
- Amount stolen
- $580,000
- Farm
- Phala Phala, Limpopo province
- President who owns the farm
- Cyril Ramaphosa
- David's purchases
- Cars, diamond-encrusted Rolex watches and a house
- Sentencing date
- 13 November 2026
3 sources
What people are saying
I therefore draw an inference that the dollars that accused one possessed and spent in purchasing the cars were stolen from Phala Phala farm.
It is clear that there is no direct evidence that implicates the three accused who had broken into … the said house at Phala Phala
The evidence was poorly done. It is, in my view, not understandable as we are not talking about an ordinary house but the house of the country’s first citizen, the president.
The importing and exporting of goods were also affected,