Imanuwela David (left) and Froliana Joseph (right) – allegedly linked to the Phala Phala robbery at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s farm in 2020.

• Two of the people accused of orchestrating a robbery at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm in Limpopo in 2020 have been granted bail.
• The Bela-Bela Magistrate’s Court found that it was in the interests of justice to release former cleaner Froliana Joseph and her brother, David Joseph.
• Meanwhile, the third accused, Imanuwela David will be applying for bail in December.

Phala Phala cleaner Froliana Joseph and her brother, David Joseph, who are accused of playing key roles in the brazen break-in at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Limpopo game farm in which $580 000 was stolen, have been granted bail. 

The Josephs and their co-accused, self-proclaimed “diamond boy” Imanuwela David appeared in the Bela-Bela Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

At a previous appearance, the Josephs applied for bail, which the State did not oppose.

WATCH | Phala Phala: From pauper to diamond-studded prince – Inside Imanuwela David’s high life

After going through the evidence before the court, Magistrate Predeshni Poonan found no reason to dismiss the bail application.

Poonan said:

The court set bail at R5 000 for the cleaner and R10 000 for her brother. 

The following bail conditions were also imposed, as requested by the State:

Throughout the judgment, both Josephs stood in the dock, looking down, seemingly showing no emotion.

In her application, Froliana, who worked as a cleaner at the lodge and is alleged to have alerted alleged burglars to the money she had found, said she intended to plead not guilty to charges of theft and housebreaking.

The cash, which was allegedly hidden in a sofa in 2020, was reportedly payment from Sudanese businessman Hazim Mustafa for several buffalo bred at Phala Phala.

Froliana claimed the State’s case was weak and she would likely be acquitted.

News24 previously tracked down and interviewed Froliana, who vehemently denied she was the hidden hand who guided the burglars to the loot. 

She told News24 at the time she knew nothing of the robbery, and did not know the Namibians who allegedly made off with the cash. 

Froliana said:

In her affidavit in the bail application, the 30-year-old cleaner said she was last employed in 2021 when she worked at Phala Phala. 

Meanwhile, her brother, who works in the Eastern Cape as a cash-in-transit drive, also distanced himself from the robbery.

Bail opposed for ‘diamond boy’

While the State had no problem with the Josephs being granted bail, State advocate Nkhetheni Munyai signalled the State’s intention to oppose the bail application of their co-accused, Imanuwela David.

Munyai added that the State was ready to proceed with the application.

READ | Phala Phala: Man, 27, hands himself over in connection with theft at Ramaphosa’s farm

However, David’s attorney, Koena Matlala, told the court that the application would be heard on 6 December.

News24 previously reported that the co-accused underwent a significant lifestyle shift after the burglary.

Images and videos he posted to Instagram showed a lavish lifestyle, including diamond-studded “grillz” – decorative dental jewellery. In one of these videos, he called himself “diamond boy”.

He also reportedly bought a fleet of cars, including a VW Golf R7, VW Polo 1.2 TSI, BMW M5, two Mercedes-Benz G63s and a Porsche Carrera.

His flashy lifestyle was reflected in visuals shared online.