A state witness has testified in the Modimolle Magistrate’s Court that President Cyril Ramaphosa was aware of $580,000 in US currency that was stored at his Phala Phala game farm for three months before it was stolen in February 2020.
The revelation came during the court appearance of three individuals accused of the theft. Immanuela David, Floriana Joseph, and her brother, Ndilinasho Joseph, face charges of theft, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit these crimes. All three have entered pleas of not guilty.
According to the testimony, the money originated from a visit by Sudanese businessman Hazim Mustafa on December 25, 2019. Mustafa had expressed interest in purchasing 20 buffalo, comprising 17 cows and three bulls, from the farm. However, he left the $580,000 in cash with the acting lodge manager without taking possession of any animals.
The state witness, whose identity is protected under a court order, testified that the acting lodge manager subsequently informed President Ramaphosa of the cash payment and his intention to secure it in a safe on the premises. The money allegedly remained there until its discovery as missing on February 10, 2020.
The case has raised significant questions regarding the handling of large sums of foreign currency. At the time of the incident, the amount was equivalent to nearly R8 million. South African law, governed by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) and the Currency and Exchanges Act, stipulates strict regulations for the reporting and handling of foreign currency, which authorities allege were not followed in this instance.
The South African Reserve Bank has previously stated that the transaction was “not perfected,” meaning it was not finalized through proper financial channels.
The state is expected to call a total of 22 witnesses, while the defense will call five. All witness identities are shielded by the court’s order. The trial is set to resume tomorrow before adjourning until September 30th for further hearings.
The accused, Immanuela David, alleged by the state to be the mastermind of the theft, Floriana Joseph, a temporary housekeeper at the farm at the time, and her brother Ndilinasho Joseph, remain before the court as the proceedings continue.