POLICE have been ordered to ferry the infant child of Froliana Joseph – a cleaner linked to the robbery at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s game farm in 2020 – to and from holding cells three times a day so she can breastfeed.
Joseph cut a beleaguered figure in the Bela Bela Magistrate’s court on Tuesday, where she appeared alongside Imanuwela David, after they were arrested by the Hawks at the weekend.
The pair have been charged with theft, housebreaking with intent to steal, conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to commit housebreaking with intent to steal.
David also faces an additional charge of money laundering.
The charges relate to the 2020 burglary at Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm in which several hundred thousand US dollars, hidden in a couch at the Limpopo lodge.
During the brief appearance Joseph’s attorney, Mike Mokgobu, told the court that Joseph has instructed him to request an order that her 1-year-old child, who only relies on breastfeeding, be brought to her, three times a day.
David appeared without a lawyer, and the case was postponed to 10 November for him to secure the services of an attorney.
The pair will also apply for bail on the day.
“Your worship, the accused has a child with special needs who relies on the care of the mother 24/7. The child doesn’t eat anything and is only being breastfed. How will the child survive until Friday in this situation?
“The accused has asked that the arrangements be made to fetch [the child] and bring her at the Bela Bela police station daily,” Mokgobu told the court.
Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority in Limpopo, Mashudu Malabi–Dzhangi, said the charges the duo face relate to the $580 000 US dollars, which is just over R10 million at the current exchange rate, which was stolen at Phala Phala.
According to Malabi–Dzhangi, David was among the burglars.
“On their first attempt, they went to the wrong farm because they were not familiar with the area, and they managed to get to Phala Phala on their second attempt, and that is when they stole $580,” she said.
Joseph could hardly make eye contact during the appearance and bowed her head. She covered her head with a hoodie and was tearful as charges were being read. When it was time to leave the dock, she shed a tear, and David patted her on her shoulder and directed her to leave the courtroom.
Image (In the dock. Froliana Joseph and Imanuwela David appeared in Limpopo for theft at Phala Phala game farm, owned by Pres Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa).
