The ninth state witness in the case of theft of more than half a million US dollars from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm in Bela-Bela has told the Modimolle Regional Court in Limpopo that accused number one, Immanuela David, wanted to buy a car worth R400 000 in cash.

The former car dealership employee testified that David had a stack of US dollars, which he allegedly placed inside a drawer at the dealership.

The witness says he refused to proceed with the sale as the dealership’s policy does not allow cash transactions.

“He asked me the price, and I said R399 400. He said he wants that car, so how will you pay? He said cash. I told him that I got no right to take any cash, but I had to phone my boss, so I tried to call my boss, phoned my boss, and got no reply. You said he asked for a restroom, and you said he requested to put something in the drawer? It was money, or was it dollars he requested to put in the drawer, a stack of dollars.”

David and his co-accused, siblings Floriana and Ndilinasho Joseph, have been charged with housebreaking, theft, and conspiracy to commit housebreaking with intent to steal.

Related Video | Phala Phala farm theft court case

Oshiwambo interpreter

Meanwhile, the trial-within-a-trial into the theft has been adjourned at the Modimolle Regional Court. This is to give the court a chance to get an Oshiwambo interpreter.

The accused complained on Monday that the previous interpreter had misinterpreted some parts of the testimony of a state witness.

State prosecutor Khetheni Munyai told the court that the trial-within-a-trial will resume once a new interpreter is appointed.

“I am informed that arrangements are underway to get another interpreter, and they have to sources from other places on the meantime state and the defense have agreed to continue and only concentrate on matters that concern accused number one.”