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Court convicts two over Phala Phala farm cash theft

Published

The Modimolle Regional Court found Imanuwela David and former temporary cleaner Froliana Joseph guilty of stealing $580 000 hidden in a couch at President Cyril Ramaphosa's farm. Joseph's brother, David Joseph, was found not guilty on all charges.

Magistrate Peter Manthata handed down the judgment on Monday. The court found David and Froliana Joseph guilty of conspiracy to commit housebreaking with intent to steal, and of theft of the dollars. David was also found guilty of housebreaking and money laundering.

David calls himself a "diamond boy". The court accepted that he used the money to buy luxury vehicles. They were a VW Golf R7, a BMW M5, two Mercedes-Benz G63Ses and a Porsche Carrera.

The cash was stolen in February 2020 from the Phala Phala game farm in Limpopo.

Key facts

Who
Imanuwela David (Self-proclaimed "diamond boy"; found guilty of conspiracy to commit…); Froliana Joseph (Temporary cleaner (former cleaner at the game farm); found guilty of…); David Joseph (Froliana's brother; found not guilty on all charges); Peter Manthata (Magistrate who handed down judgment)
What
The Modimolle Regional Court found self-proclaimed "diamond boy" Imanuwela David and temporary cleaner Froliana Joseph guilty of conspiracy to commit housebreaking with intent to steal and theft of the dollars, with David also found guilty of housebreaking and money laundering. David Joseph, Froliana's brother, was found not guilty on all charges.
When
2 November 2026
Where
Modimolle, Limpopo, Phala Phala
Status
Reported

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