A trial has commenced in South Africa involving three individuals accused of housebreaking and stealing a substantial amount of US currency, approximately $580,000, hidden in a couch at a game farm owned by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The incident, which occurred in 2020, has sparked controversy and scrutiny surrounding Ramaphosa’s involvement and potential breaches of tax evasion, money laundering, and foreign currency laws.
The case, dubbed “farmgate,” has significant implications for Ramaphosa, who campaigned on an anti-corruption platform. Despite being cleared of wrongdoing and surviving an impeachment vote in Parliament, questions remain regarding the large sum of money stored in the couch. Ramaphosa has attributed the money to the legitimate sale of animals at his Phala Phala game and livestock farm but has not provided a clear explanation for its storage in the couch.
The three defendants, including a former cleaner at the farm, have pleaded not guilty to the charges. The trial is expected to last three weeks, with prosecutors calling 20 witnesses, including staff members from Ramaphosa’s farm. The accused face charges of housebreaking, conspiracy to commit housebreaking, and theft, with one defendant also facing money laundering charges.
The case came to light in June 2022 when the former head of the state security agency, Arthur Fraser, filed a complaint against Ramaphosa. Fraser accused Ramaphosa of hiding $4 million in the couch and using his personal police security detail to track down the thieves and bribe them to keep quiet. Ramaphosa and authorities have disputed the amount, and investigations by the police and financial authorities have cleared him of wrongdoing.
The trial’s outcome is being closely watched, particularly given Ramaphosa’s recent reelection for a second term. His party, the African National Congress, lost its 30-year majority and now forms a coalition government. The trial’s significance extends beyond the immediate case, as it reflects on the broader context of corruption and governance in South Africa. The proceedings are expected to provide insight into the events surrounding the alleged theft and Ramaphosa’s potential involvement, shedding light on the ongoing “farmgate” scandal.
