Magistrate Predeshni Poonan presiding over a case involving Emanuwela David and Froliana Joseph who made their first court appearance at the Bela Bela Magistrate court on Tuesday. Picture: Thabo Makwakwa / Independent Media
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has said that it’s prepared to proceed with the bail application ahead of the court appearance of three Namibian nationals accused of theft of undeclared US currency that was hidden under the furniture of President Cyril Ramaphosa at his Phala Phala farm.
Ramaphosa’s former housekeeper Froliana Joseph, Emanuwela David and the third suspect who is alleged to be Joseph’s brother - are expected to make a bail application at the Bela Bela magistrate court.
The Limpopo NPA spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi stated that the third suspect was arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) yesterday.
“We have received a call this morning from the attorney for accused number one Emanuwela David stating that he is not available, therefore, we shall proceed with the bail application of accused number two Froliana Joseph and accused number three who will be making the first appearance today.”
The suspects are facing four counts of theft, house breaking and money laundering after breaking into Ramaphosa’s house where they stole an undisclosed amount of US currency at Phala Phala farm on January 8, 2020,
The NPA stated that before the theft at Ramaphosa’s house, David and two other suspects entered Stokkiesdraai farm believing that it was Phala Phala farm but later discovered that it was a wrong house.
“They broke and entered but nothing was stolen. The following night they located the Phala Phala farm where they broke, entered and stole US$580 000.”
However, the former Spy boss Arthur Fraser claimed in his affidavit that the amount stolen from the furniture of the president was between $4 - $8million.
Fraser laid criminal charges of money laundering against Ramaphosa and his head of security, General Wally Rhoode, at the Rosebank police station on June 1, 2022.
Triggering a parliamentary panel that was led by Retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo who found that Ramaphosa had a case to answer and that he may have violated a number of laws.
thabo.makwakwa@inl.co.za