Three suspects appeared in a South African court on Monday, accused of stealing millions of dollars from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s game farm in 2020. The case, which has become known as the “Farmgate” scandal, involves charges including housebreaking and theft. The suspects—Imanuwela David, Ndilinasho Joseph, and Froliana Joseph—appeared in a regional court in Limpopo province. The case was postponed until November 26, with bail extended for the Joseph siblings, who were arrested in November of last year. David was ordered to remain in custody.
The scandal first came to light in June 2022, when former spy chief Arthur Fraser reported the theft to police, accusing Ramaphosa of money laundering, corruption, and covering up the theft of foreign currency. Ramaphosa, who was a wealthy businessman before becoming president, has denied any wrongdoing. In June 2023, South Africa’s anti-corruption watchdog cleared him of potential conflict of interest in the matter, which involved money found hidden in a sofa on his Phala Phala game farm.
The scandal had serious political ramifications for Ramaphosa, nearly costing him his leadership of the African National Congress (ANC) in late 2022, a key position needed to secure his re-election as president. However, he survived a challenge from within the party.
