Imanuela David, the man accused of masterminding the burglary at President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm was denied bail. David's bail judgment was heard at the Bela Bela Magistrates Court yesterday.

David, and two other accused who are siblings are charged with the housebreaking and theft of about $580,000 at President Ramaphosa's game farm. The siblings, Froliana and David Joseph, were released on unopposed bail applications in November but the State opposed David's application. Their bail conditions include that they hand over their passports, and they may not leave the Bela-Bela area without informing the police.

In her ruling, Magistrate Predeshni Ponnan said David lied in his verbal testimony and she feared that he could evade trial should bail be granted. "From the aforementioned principles enshrined in the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, it is very clear that accused number one has not satisfied this court that the interest of justice permits his release from custody. Bail is accordingly denied." Ponan added that the accused intentionally tried to deceive and confuse the investigating officer with his lies.

"The court's finding is clear from the evidence tendered by both the State and the defense that accused number one (David) knowingly flouted the laws of not only this country but that of Namibia by contravening the Covid-19 regulations during the lockdown, and by attempting to flee the country through illegal means. The conduct of accused number one is indicative that he possesses to commit further crimes as well as evading his trial.

The State clearly illustrated to this court that accused number one's testimony was rife with inconsistencies and that he intentionally set out to deceive and confuse the investigating officer and this court,? she ruled