Phala Phala Trial: How Accused Spent Stolen Loot

As the Phala Phala burglary trial resumes, more witness testimony is expected on how the stolen loot from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s farm was allegedly spent by the accused. Imanuwela David and siblings Froliana and Ndilinasho Josephin are charged with breaking into the president’s farm and stealing US$580,000 in cash. They are due to appear at the Modimolle Regional Court in Limpopo on Wednesday morning. ALSO READ: Diamonds, Rolexes, and real estate: Witnesses detail Phala Phala suspect’s alleged spending spree Stolen Phala Phala dollars allegedly funded a half-million rand Mercedes Since the trial began, a picture is starting to emerge on how the stolen US dollars from Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm were spent. So far, all the witness testimony has focused solely on accused number one, David. David spent over R5 million on a fleet of luxury cars, including one he bought for his girlfriend. He spent R250,000 on custom-made grills and about R70,000 on attaching diamonds to his Rolex watch. David also spent R1 million on a property in Rustenburg. According to State witnesses, David’s listed source of income was varied. He told the car salespeople he was a diamond dealer, told his girlfriend he got a tender exporting mercury, and to his conveyancer, he said he was just simply a businessman.