Three individuals appeared in a South African court on Monday, facing serious charges related to a high-profile theft involving millions of dollars in cash from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s game farm in 2020. This incident, which has become known as the “Farmgate” scandal, nearly led to a significant political crisis for Ramaphosa two years ago. The accused—Imanuwela David, Ndilinasho Joseph, and Froliana Joseph—are specifically charged with housebreaking and theft, highlighting the severity of their alleged actions.
During their appearance in a regional court located in Limpopo province, the case was postponed until November 26. Bail was granted for the Joseph siblings, who had been arrested in November of the previous year, while David was ordered to remain in custody pending further proceedings.
The scandal erupted into the public eye when former intelligence chief Arthur Fraser reported the incident to the police in June 2022. In his report, he accused Ramaphosa of engaging in money laundering, corruption, and attempting to conceal a significant theft of foreign currency, raising serious questions about the president’s integrity.
Ramaphosa, who had established himself as a wealthy businessman prior to his presidency, has consistently denied any involvement in wrongdoing. In June 2023, an anti-corruption watchdog investigated the claims and found no conflict of interest regarding the cash that had been discovered hidden in a sofa at his Phala Phala game farm.
The implications of this scandal were far-reaching, as it posed a significant threat to Ramaphosa’s leadership within the African National Congress (ANC). This leadership is crucial for securing a place on the party’s ticket for the upcoming presidential election. Despite facing challenges from rival members within the ANC in late 2022, Ramaphosa successfully navigated the political turmoil and maintained his position.