By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The alleged mastermind behind the burglary at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm in Limpopo, has been denied bail.
Imanuwela David appeared in the Bela Bela Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo on Friday.
Magistrate Predeshni Ponnan handed down judgment in the Bela Bela Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo on Friday.
Ponnan said, “it was clear from the evidence by both the state and the defence that David intentionally and knowingly flouted the laws of not only South Africa, but Namibia as well by contravening the Covid-19 regulations and fleeing the country “through illegal means”.
“The conduct of accused number one is indicative of the fact that he possesses the propensity to commit further crimes as well as evading his trial.
This state clearly illustrated to this court that accused number one’s testimony was rife with inconsistencies and that he intentionally set out to deceive and confuse the investigating officer and this court,” Ponnan said.
Ponnan added that David had no fixed address that could be verified with certainty and he further misled the court he had movable or immovable property.
She said the court looked at the nature of the crimes committed, the large amount of monies that have been stolen and that the investigation is still ongoing and still largely revolves around David as well as two further suspects that have yet to be apprehended.
“There is a strong possibility that accused number one, should he be released on bail, may tamper or interfere with the investigation, or the state witnesses or destroy or conceal any evidence against him.”
“From the aforementioned principles enshrined in the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, it is very clear that accused number one has not satisfied this court, that the interests of justice permit his release from custody, bail is accordingly denied,” Ponnan ruled.
David and his two other accused are facing charges of housebreaking and theft at Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm, where $580 000 was stolen at the farm in February 2020.
The two other accused were released on bail last month.
NPA spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said David was denied bail due to fears that he might abscond.
“The state has a strong case against him. It was found that he purchased immovable properties amounting to R980 000 in March 2020 after the farm theft in February.”
The theft came to light when former State Security Agency boss, Arthur Fraser, opened a case of kidnapping and money laundering against Ramaphosa, the head of the Presidential Protection Services Major-General Wally Rhoode and Crime Intelligence.