Staff Reporter
NAMIBIAN citizens implicated in the alleged theft of over $580,000 (N$10 million) stashed in a coach at South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm in Limpopo will find out on 17th November 2023 whether or not they will receive bail.
Namibian-born Imanuwela David (39) and his relative Frolina Joseph (30) made their second court appearance at the Bela Bela Magistrate court on 10 November 2023 for their bail hearing following their arrest earlier this week.
Meanwhile, the third suspect, 27-year-old Ndilinasho David Joseph, was also arrested on Thursday, 9 November 2023, after handing himself over to the police. The third suspect also made his first appearance alongside the other two accused on 10 November 2023.
The state has indicated that it would not be opposing bail against Frolina Joseph, who has a newborn baby who solely depends on breastfeeding. Joseph, in her bail affidavit, said, “I submit that the state’s case is weak or questionable and open to serious doubt.”
The three suspects face charges of housebreaking, theft, and money laundering. The court will deliberate on the submissions made, and the court postponed to 17th November for a legal representative of accused one, Imanuwela David, and the judgment of bail for accused number two, Frolina Joseph, and accused three, Ndilinasho David.
Namibians implicated in the theft include Imanuwela David, Erkki Shikongo, Urbanus Shaumbwako, Petrus Muhekeni, and Petrus Afrikaner.
In the meantime, South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority has said that it is investigating properties bought with proceeds from the Phala Phala farm robbery. Deeds records show that Shikongo bought a N$1.7 million flat in Blouberg, Cape Town in March 2021, and a N$300,000 property in Wallacedene, Kraaifontein in July 2020. He is also said to have bought a guest house near Outapi in March 2020 for N$800,000 and two cars worth R715,000 and R165,000. It is reported that Shikongo owned no properties prior to the record.
His co-accused, Imanuwela David, is said to have used the stolen money to renovate his grandmother’s house in Olukekete village in the Omusati region and also acquired two expensive cars. David was arrested by Namibian police on 14 June 2020 in Windhoek, adorned with two watches worth over N$300,000 and a gold chain valued at N$170,000.
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