Chaos at Phala Phala: Who knew about Ramaphosa’s $580k stash?

Phala Phala

Cape Town – The trial over the February 2020 burglary at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm has revealed fresh disputes over internal protocols, staff conduct, and who knew what about the large sum of US dollars stashed inside the house.

According to The Citizen, court records revealed that farm manager Hendrik von Wiellgh said his predecessor, Sylvester Ndlovu, allowed temporary workers into the main house, breaching protocol.

“If these temporary workers were to be asked to come and assist, then none of these temporary workers is allowed to clean the president’s house,” von Wiellgh told the court.

He added, “I also got to hear later afterwards that he used some of the temporary workers to clean there … which was not with my approval.”

Von Wiellgh recounted that he arrived at the main house after being alerted to a break-in, noticing a broken window handle, an unlocked sliding door, and cushions in disarray.

As reported by Daily Maverick, he did not live in or monitor the house daily and was unaware of where valuables were kept. “Even after the break-in … Ndlovu allegedly did not inform Von Wiellgh about the foreign currency,” he told the court.

The stolen sum, US $580,000, was reportedly cash from a client buying 20 buffaloes, which had been moved from a safe to a couch for “safekeeping,”.

Von Wiellgh said the move was done without the knowledge of permanent managers.

The general manager of the farm testified he was unaware of the hidden cash.

As reported by EWN, when asked if anyone had informed him about the foreign currency, he responded bluntly: “Nothing at all.” He confirmed he had not been told about the money even after the break-in.

A long-serving housekeeper also testified that she had no knowledge of the dollars hidden in the couch. “I did not hear anything that there was any money … and again that they stole,” she told the court. She added that she avoided going into the main room when temporary cleaners were present.

The three accused — Imanuwela David, Froliana Joseph, and Ndilinasho Joseph — face charges including housebreaking, theft, conspiracy, and money laundering. The trial continues as the state seeks to establish the origin, movement, and disappearance of the stolen funds.

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