Audio By Carbonatix
Three people accused of breaking into South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s game farm and stealing $580,000 in cash that was stashed in a couch appeared in court Monday and had their case postponed until next month.
The alleged theft, which happened in 2020 but came to light two years later, saw Ramaphosa mired in scandal and accused of trying to hide the alleged crime and the money’s existence.
Ramaphosa was accused by opposition parties of tax evasion, money laundering and breaking foreign currency laws over the cash, which was in U.S. dollars.
Ramaphosa denied wrongdoing and said the cash was from the legitimate sale of buffaloes at his Phala Phala game farm. He was cleared of any wrongdoing by the Reserve Bank and a public watchdog.
However, an independent report raised questions over the cash, and Ramaphosa survived an impeachment vote in Parliament in 2022 when his African National Congress party used its majority to block the motion.
Two opposition parties have filed papers with South Africa’s highest court requesting that impeachment proceedings against Ramaphosa be revived.
That case will be heard next month.
The three suspects, Imanuwela David, Ndilinasho Joseph and his sister Floriana Joseph, face charges of housebreaking and theft, according to prosecutors.
David is in custody while the Joseph siblings are free on bail.
The scandal, sometimes referred to as “farmgate,” came as Ramaphosa was seeking reelection as his party’s leader at the end of 2022.
He was reelected as president of the ANC and then won a second term as South African president this year, although only with the help of opposition lawmakers after the ANC lost its 30-year majority.
Nine opposition parties joined the ANC in a broad governing coalition following the May 29 election, quietening some of the criticism of Ramaphosa over the Phala Phala scandal.
Latest Stories
-
Gyakie teases release of ‘Treasure’ with artwork unveiling
10 minutes -
Ntim Fordjour demands answers over Ghana’s declining Global Peace Index ranking
25 minutes -
Development Bank Ghana marks five years of catalyzing private sector growth
35 minutes -
Afari Hospital: Only $500,000 in arrears needed for completion; demand for $85m criminal—Minority
40 minutes -
Mahama gov’t paying itself while Akufo-Addo staff remain unpaid – Kow Essuman
44 minutes -
Kow Essuman accuses Kwakye Ofosu of misleading public on Presidential salaries
47 minutes -
BoG urges banks to support agriculture and productive sectors
48 minutes -
2026 World Cup: Chief Imam urges national prayers for Black Stars ahead of Panama opener
48 minutes -
Ofori-Atta yet to be notified of any criminal charges in Ghana – Frank Davies
51 minutes -
Chief Imam calls for national prayers and support for Black Stars at the FIFA World Cup 2026
53 minutes -
Ashanti Regional Minister inspects flood hotspots at KNUST, vows crackdown on encroachment
54 minutes -
GPRTU eyes cashless transport system to curb armed robbery attacks on drivers
1 hour -
Minority blames NDC for delays in Afari Military Hospital project
1 hour -
Gov’t processing UTAG book and research allowance payments, no strike expected – Haruna Iddrisu
1 hour -
‘It’s up to Ghanaian authorities to explore options’ – Ofori-Atta’s lawyer says after US residency
1 hour