Phala Phala scandal: Opposition Demands New Evidence as Court Testimony Challenges Ramaphosa’s Version of Stolen Cash

Manyane Manyane | Published 6 days ago

Opposition parties will push for the Impeachment Committee to demand forensic and financial evidence emerging from the ongoing trial of the suspects in the Phala Phala theft, following explosive testimony in the Modimolle Regional Court.

This development comes amid testimony that the accused mastermind, Imanuwela David, spent vast sums on luxury assets, which conflicts with President Cyril Ramaphosa's claims regarding the stolen amounts.

The State alleged that David spent a R1,5 million on a Mercedes-Benz, R980,000 on a Rustenburg property, R253,000 for a dental makeover, and on Rolex diamonds.

Hawks financial analysts previously revealed that over R15 million (more than $800,000) was linked to the suspects' accounts and spending shortly after the February 2020 break-in. This directly challenged Ramaphosa's long-standing assertion that only $580,000 (roughly R10 million) was taken during the theft.

Records also showed that David earned roughly R50,000 a month as a bodyguard, with a bank balance of just over R100,000. Following the February 2020 break-in, a data analyst showed his accounts spiked to over R3 million in 2020. Another bank record showed he received R9 million in a single month (May 2020), with R5.2 million in total cash deposits for 2020.

ActionSA said this should form part of the scope and terms of reference of the Parliamentary committee.

“In our forthcoming submission to the Committee, we will argue that all evidence emerging from court proceedings, as well as information that has surfaced over the past three years, must be considered. The factual matrix before Parliament today is significantly broader than when the ANC previously voted down impeachment proceedings,” said spokesperson Matthew George.

Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya did not respond to questions, while e fforts to get comments from David's lawyer, Koena Matlala, were also unsuccessful.

However, on Friday Matlala told the court that some of David’s money came from his uncle’s construction company, where David said he “helped” with business.

The 31-member impeachment committee was formed following a Constitutional Court (ConCourt) ruling that deemed Parliament's handling of the Section 89 independent panel report unlawful .

This was after the independent panel found prima facie evidence that Ramaphosa may have committed serious violations of the Constitution and anti-corruption laws regarding the 2020 theft of foreign currency from Phala Phala game.

The committee was expected to determine if there was a prima facie case of serious misconduct or a violation of the Constitution. If it concluded there was, its recommendations would be sent to the National Assembly for an impeachment vote.

The committee had already held its inaugural meeting on 1 June 2026 and elected Rise Mzansi MP Makashule Gana to lead the probe.

George added that ActionSA was also pursuing every avenue available to ensure that Ramaphosa was subjected to scrutiny and accountability, as any other South African.

He said the party’s focus was not limited to the impeachment committee, adding that “we are committed to using all lawful mechanisms to ensure full accountability”.

He added that ActionSA also submitted a PAIA application seeking access to records relating to the matter, but the application was declined on the basis that the matter was currently before the courts.

“We disagree with that decision and are obtaining legal advice to challenge it and secure access to the records,” he said.

In August 2023, the South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB) concluded that the foreign currency transaction at the farm was not “perfected” because conditions precedent were unfulfilled. Consequently, SARB determined that there was no legal entitlement to the funds at that time and no contravention of Exchange Control Regulations.

Following rigorous audits, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) announced Ramaphosa and his related entities were found to be tax compliant regarding the game sale at the centre of the controversy, while the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) declined to prosecute Ramaphosa and those implicated in the theft.

George said Action SA has also called on SARS and the NPA to investigate the origin of these funds and any unexplained wealth linked to the matter as part of the party’s PAIA process and broader oversight efforts.

“ ActionSA strongly disagrees with the NPA's decision not to prosecute the President. We have consistently argued that no individual, regardless of office, should be treated differently before the law,” he said.

Build One South Africa (BOSA) said all allegations relating to unexplained wealth, potential money laundering, or financial misconduct must be investigated without fear, favour, or political interference.

The party said it would continue exercising parliamentary oversight, demand transparency from law enforcement and prosecuting authorities, ensuring that in…