Defence argues Phala Phala case rests on circumstantial evidence

Lawyers for three accused in the theft from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s farm say prosecutors failed to produce direct evidence after 13 months of trial.

The defence closed its case in the Modimolle Magistrate’s Court on Sunday, maintaining that the State’s evidence consists only of cellphone records, financial transactions and witness testimony.

Koena Matlala, representing accused Imanuwela David, told the court the prosecution had not placed any of the three accused inside the Limpopo farm or linked them directly to the stolen dollars.

Two transport witnesses altered their accounts in court, prompting the State to seek hostile-witness declarations, while the National Prosecuting Authority maintained that the combined evidence shows coordination among the accused before and after the February 2020 burglary.

Written arguments are due from the prosecution by 3 July, with oral hearings scheduled for August.

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Illustration of the Constitutional Court ordering an impeachment inquiry into President Ramaphosa over the Phala Phala scandal.
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Constitutional court orders impeachment inquiry into ramaphosa

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South Africa's Constitutional Court ruled today that parliament must establish an impeachment committee to examine allegations against President Cyril Ramaphosa over the Phala Phala farm theft.

South African police officials told Parliament on 10 June 2026 that insufficient evidence prevented misconduct findings in the 2020 Phala Phala farm theft case.

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The Western Cape High Court on Wednesday heard arguments over President Cyril Ramaphosa’s urgent application to stop parliamentary impeachment proceedings related to the Phala Phala matter.

The High Court in Polokwane adjourned a trial-within-trial on the admissibility of a confession statement to Thursday. Pig farmer Zacharia Olivier and co-accused William Musora face charges over the 2024 murders of two women.

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The Alexandra Magistrates’ Court has struck the fraud case against Johannesburg Development Agency chief executive Themba Mathibe from the roll. Prosecutors had sought more time to complete investigations but the court declined the request on 2 June. The National Prosecuting Authority says it plans to re-enrol the matter once inquiries are finalised.

Colonel Silas Thoka told the Pretoria High Court he had no knowledge of any official complaint about a cellphone allegedly found with accused Bongani Ntanzi. Thoka, who commands Villieria Police Station, was giving evidence in the trial of Ntanzi and four others charged with the 2014 murder of former Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa.

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The National Prosecuting Authority has appeared to step back from its earlier admission of political interference in apartheid-era prosecutions. This shift emerged during cross-examination at the Khampepe inquiry on 25 May. Former president Thabo Mbeki is also challenging a summons to testify before the same panel.

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