Phala Phala cleaner’s baby in the spotlight
Police have been ordered to ferry the infant child of Froliana Joseph – a cleaner linked to a robbery at South African president Cyril Ramaphosa’s game farm in 2020 – to and from the holding cells three times a day so she can breastfeed.
Joseph cut a beleaguered figure in the Bela Bela Magistrate’s Court yesterday, where she appeared alongside Imanuwela David after they were arrested by the Hawks over the weekend.
The pair have been charged with theft, housebreaking with intent to steal, conspiracy to commit robbery and 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, were stolen.
How will she survive?
During the brief appearance, Joseph's attorney Mike Mokgobu told the court that she had instructed him to request an order that her one-year-old child, who relies only 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 legal representation.
The pair will also apply for bail then.
"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?” Mokgobu told the court.
"The accused has asked that arrangements be made to fetch [the child] and bring her to the Bela Bela police station daily.”
Tearful appearance
Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority in Limpopo, Mashudu Malabi–Dzhangi, said the charges the duo face relate to US$580 000, over NS10 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 US$580 000," 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 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.
- News24
Joseph cut a beleaguered figure in the Bela Bela Magistrate’s Court yesterday, where she appeared alongside Imanuwela David after they were arrested by the Hawks over the weekend.
The pair have been charged with theft, housebreaking with intent to steal, conspiracy to commit robbery and 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, were stolen.
How will she survive?
During the brief appearance, Joseph's attorney Mike Mokgobu told the court that she had instructed him to request an order that her one-year-old child, who relies only 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 legal representation.
The pair will also apply for bail then.
"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?” Mokgobu told the court.
"The accused has asked that arrangements be made to fetch [the child] and bring her to the Bela Bela police station daily.”
Tearful appearance
Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority in Limpopo, Mashudu Malabi–Dzhangi, said the charges the duo face relate to US$580 000, over NS10 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 US$580 000," 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 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.
- News24
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