Court sets Phala Phala trial for May
The trial of the three accused in the theft of over $580,000 from President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm in 2020 is set to begin in May.
Emmanuela David, Floriana, and Ndilinasho Joseph appeared in the Modimolle Regional Court on Tuesday for pre-trial proceedings.
They face charges including conspiracy to commit housebreaking with intent to steal, theft, and money laundering.
Limpopo NPA spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said the state is prepared to proceed with the case.
“All the parties are ready to start with the trial in May next year from 19 to 29 [May]. The state is ready, and we intend to bring almost 23 witnesses.
“The defence has also indicated that their accused persons are going to testify, and they are going to bring three witnesses,” said Malabi-Dzhangi.
She said the state has not ruled out the possibility of the case stretching into June.
“While the state has lined up 23 witnesses, including David and the Joseph siblings, State Prosecutor Advocate Nkhetheni Munyai believes the only technical aspect of the evidence is cell phone mapping.
“Some of the evidence may be dealt with in terms of a statute like your 212, Section 216 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, and evidence of technical nature is only that of cell phone mapping,” said Munyai.
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