Phala Phala Cash Trial: Stolen Dollars ‘Bought R500k Mercedes For Girlfriend’

The suspected mastermind behind the infamous Phala Phala burglary allegedly used stolen US dollars from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Limpopo farm to buy his girlfriend a Mercedes-Benz worth nearly half a million rand, a court has heard.

Explosive testimony was presented on Friday at the Modimolle regional court, where the ex-girlfriend of accused number one, Imanuwela David, appeared virtually to give evidence.

Court Hears How Phala Phala Cash Was Allegedly Spent

David, together with his siblings Froliana and Ndilinasho Joseph, stands accused of breaking into the Phala Phala farm and stealing $580,000 in cash. The burglary allegedly took place in February 2020.

Prosecutors allege David played a central role in the theft, which later sparked a national scandal and intense political fallout.

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During her testimony, David’s former partner — who cannot be named — described how she unexpectedly became the recipient of a luxury vehicle shortly after the alleged crime.

“There’s a Surprise”: Mercedes Purchase Explained in Court

The witness told the court that in late February 2020, she received a phone call from a Mercedes-Benz salesperson that immediately raised questions.

“They called me to say they are with my partner. I asked the salesperson what that was all about, and he said to me I must just send him my ID, there’s a surprise,” she testified.

She said that a few days later, she was contacted again and told to come and collect the vehicle.

“I checked with them if I’m going to pay anything or owe anything, and they told me my partner has paid it in full,” she added.

Phala Phala Accused Face Serious Charges

The state alleges that the Mercedes-Benz, valued at about R500,000, was purchased using some of the US dollars stolen from the president’s game farm.

David and his co-accused face charges related to housebreaking and theft, with the case forming part of the broader investigation into the Phala Phala scandal.

The trial continues in the Modimolle regional court, where further testimony is expected to shed light on how the stolen money was allegedly used.

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