Phala Phala saga: 3 accused back in court on Friday

A third accused in the Phala Phala burglary appeared in the Bela-Bela Magistrate’s Court yesterday after handing himself in at the Bela-Bela Police Station.

Ndilinasho David Joseph (27) is the brother of Froliana Joseph (30), a former casual worker at the farm who, with co-accused Imanuwela David (39), was arrested earlier this week.

They made their second appearance in court yesterday, alongside Ndilinasho. Their first appearance was on Tuesday when the case was postponed for David to receive legal representation.

The three face several charges, including conspiracy to commit housebreaking with intent to steal and theft, while David faces an additional charge of money laundering.

According to the SAPS, the siblings’ case was postponed to November 17 for the bail application judgment. The state is not opposing bail. David will also return to court on the same date with his legal representation. Froliana, who has a newborn child, and both her co-accused will remain behind bars until then.

Die Pos reported yesterday that the local courtroom was packed with various media houses, waiting from around 08:00 until after 11:00 for the court case to proceed. Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, the National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson, said the accused were consulting with their lawyers.

The three entered the courtroom looking down and trying to conceal their faces.

The case relates to the theft of around US$580 000 (around R10m) stolen from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm.

In a SANews report, Malabi-Dzhangi said investigations revealed that in early 2020, the accused conspired to commit housebreaking with intent to steal and theft at the farm.

He said they first targeted the wrong property.

“The following night, they located Phala Phala farm, where they entered and stole US$580 000,” Malabi-Dzhangi said.