The highly anticipated trial of three people accused of stealing millions of rand in foreign currency from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm is finally set to get underway at the Modimolle Regional Court in Limpopo this morning, almost three months later than initially scheduled.
The accused — former Phala Phala housekeeper Froliana Joseph, David Joseph, and Namibian national Immanuwela David — face charges of housebreaking, theft, and money laundering. They allegedly conspired to break into the President’s Bela-Bela farm in February 2020, where they stole approximately $580,000 (around R10 million) that had been hidden in furniture on the property.
Case origins
The case was first brought to police attention by Ramaphosa himself, who reported the burglary to then-head of the Presidential Protection Unit, Major-General Wally Rhoode. However, controversy quickly followed after reports surfaced that the crime was not properly reported to the South African Police Service in terms of procedure, sparking allegations of a cover-up.
The matter only became public in mid-2022 after former State Security Agency boss Arthur Fraser opened a criminal complaint against Ramaphosa, accusing him of failing to report the theft and of attempting to conceal it through unofficial channels.
Fraser’s affidavit and subsequent media revelations ignited what has since been termed the Phala Phala scandal, threatening to derail Ramaphosa’s presidency.
Trial delays
The trial was initially set down to begin three months ago, but proceedings were postponed when one of the accused was heavily pregnant and unable to stand trial. With her medical condition stabilised, the state has confirmed it is now ready to proceed.
Limpopo NPA spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said preparations were complete:
“The state intends to call two key witnesses in the opening phase. Both the prosecution and defence have indicated readiness to proceed with the trial.”
The accused, who have been out on bail, are expected to plead not guilty. Investigators have long maintained that Immanuwela David was the mastermind behind the burglary, though he denies the charges. Another suspect, reportedly a foreign national, remains at large.
Opposition pressure
Opposition parties remain unsparing in their criticism of Ramaphosa, insisting that the trial is only one aspect of the broader scandal. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) reiterated that the President must be held accountable not only for the theft itself but also for the suspicious circumstances around the undeclared foreign currency.
“The Phala Phala matter represents a complete violation of South Africa’s financial and constitutional order. Millions of US dollars were hidden in a mattress at the President’s farm. No explanation has been satisfactory, and this trial should be only the beginning of accountability,” said EFF recently.
Similarly, the African Transformation Movement (ATM) has vowed to pursue Ramaphosa in Parliament, reviving calls for a full impeachment inquiry. ATM leader Vuyo Zungula accused the President of undermining the rule of law:
“How does a sitting head of state keep vast sums of foreign currency in his private residence, fail to declare it to the Reserve Bank, and then expect South Africans to look the other way? This case is not only about housebreaking — it is about abuse of power and betrayal of public trust.”
Civil society demands transparency
Civil society groups have also weighed in, particularly around the secrecy surrounding official reports into the saga. The Activists and Citizens Forum, represented by spokesperson Dennis Bloem, has demanded that the “classified” police report on Phala Phala be made public.
“What is so secret about this report that it had to be locked away? We cannot tolerate selective justice. Even a sitting President must face the law like any other citizen,
Bloem said, recalling how former President Jacob Zuma was jailed for contempt of court.
The organisation has also questioned the role of then-Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu, who was accused of working to keep the investigation under wraps.
Public reaction
On social media, South Africans remain divided. Some users on X (formerly Twitter) argue that the trial is a waste of time, with one writing: “Phala Phala mattress monies are still fresh in people’s minds. As long as CR17 and Phala Phala remain unresolved, the ANC’s credibility will continue to crumble.”
Another user pointed to broader corruption scandals: “Selective morality has become normalised. From Bosasa to Phala Phala and now the Maumela tender scandal, South Africans tolerate too much nonsense.”
Ramaphosa under pressure
For President Ramaphosa, the trial reopens a chapter that nearly cost him his presidency in late 2022, when Parliament came close to instituting impeachment proceedings following the independent panel’s damning findings. Though the ANC majority shielded him from removal, the scandal has since remained a political millstone around his neck.
Ramaphosa has consistently denied wrongdoing, maintaining that the money was the proceeds of game sales to a Sudanese businessman, and insisting that he cooperated fully with law enforcement once the burglary came to light.
Yet the optics of keeping foreign cash hidden at his private farm continue to haunt him, especially with the 2026 national elections approaching.
What to expect
The trial is expected to draw intense media attention as prosecutors outline how the burglary unfolded, who knew about the cash, and what efforts were made to recover it. With both domestic and international observers watching closely, the case could prove a litmus test for South Africa’s criminal justice system — and for Ramaphosa’s political future.
While only three individuals stand accused in court, the shadow of the Phala Phala scandal looms much larger, with opposition parties and citizens alike insisting that the real trial should be that of the President himself.
