Three face Phala Phala theft charges in Modimolle court

A R10-million cash heist from President Ramaphosa's couch cushions keeps dragging through South African courts over six years later.

Phala Phala accused back in court

• Wilson Ndlovu, Ishmael Chikurungu, and Bongani Mthombeni faced the Modimolle Regional Court.
• Charges cover housebreaking, theft, and money laundering.
• All three have denied every charge against them.
• Pre-trial business likely means yet another postponement.

How the farm robbery originally went down

• Foreign currency stashed inside furniture got swiped from Phala Phala farm.
• Cops raided the scene back in February 2020 near Bela-Bela.
• Arthur Fraser blew the whistle publicly in June 2022.
• Fraser alleged Ramaphosa tried to suppress the theft investigation.

Parliament's role and the aftermath

• A Section 89 panel flagged prima facie serious violations in December 2022.
• Parliament ultimately voted down a full impeachment inquiry.
• Criminal proceedings against the accused continued on a separate track.
• Hawks arrested the trio after a drawn-out investigation.

Ramaphosa's defense on the hidden cash

• Ramaphosa insists the dollars came from legitimate game-animal sales.
• Bundles of US dollars, euros, and other currencies were involved.
• Critics question why that much cash sat on a rural property.
• Delayed and opaque reporting of the theft raised more eyebrows.

What the trial road ahead looks like

• NPA's Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
• Farm workers, security staff, and forensic experts may testify.
• Defence teams plan to challenge the investigation procedures and evidence custody.
• Repeated delays for evidence disclosure have plagued proceedings.