One of the convicted thieves in the Phala Phala farm theft, Imanuwela David, has told the Modimolle Regional Court in Limpopo that he knows nothing about the break-in and theft at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s farm.
Despite being found guilty, David maintains that he did not steal the money, which was hidden inside a sofa at the farm in Bela Bela in February 2020.
He is currently on the witness stand, giving evidence in mitigation of sentence ahead of sentencing.
David and former domestic worker, Froliana Joseph, were found guilty of stealing 580 000 US dollars from the farm.
The sentencing is expected after the mitigation and aggravation of sentences.
Testifying in mitigation of sentence, David has told the court that his incarceration has impacted his family, especially his mother and children, as he is the sole breadwinner.
David says, “Since the day of my arrest, I can say that it has affected me a lot more, especially because I was a breadwinner to my family, starting from my mother, my siblings, my kids. So now I’m here in prison and people who were depending on me, they are stranded.”
Sentencing proceedings have been postponed to November 26.
The court is also awaiting a supervision report from the correctional officer on Froliana Joseph, who has been out on bail before the conviction earlier this month.
The report will be used in the mitigation of sentence.
Video | Sentencing in Phala Phala theft case:
Credit: Rendani Raliphaswa/Avhapfani Munyai