News / National
Ramaphosa, Geingob discussed 'Phalaphalagate' - report
14 Jun 2022 at 13:17hrs | Views
A JUNE 2020 report compiled by Namibia's former head of the police's criminal investigations directorate, commissioner Nelius Becker, indicates that presidents Hage Geingob and Cyril Ramaphosa were in contact with each other after the robbery at Ramaphosa's Phala Phala game farm in Limpopo in the same year.
This comes after the Namibian Presidency over the weekend denied that the two presidents discussed the incident.
Geingob's spokesperson, Alfredo Hengari, however, admitted that Geingob and Ramaphose interact on a regular basis.
Becker's report, which was leaked, states that the two presidents knew about the theft and burglary at Ramaphosa's farm and were in talks.
"Due to the sensitivity of the matter and the envisaged fallout it will create in South Africa they requested that the matter is handled with discretion. Discussions are allegedly ongoing between the countries' two presidents," Becker wrote.
The report also indicates that high-ranking Namibian police officers were aware of the incident and of Imanuwela David, one of the suspects, illegally entering the country.
The commissioner refers to David as 'ID'.
"Information further has it that ID and other accomplices (possibly a person called Erickson Shooya) committed a housebreaking and theft on the farm 'Ntabanyoni' of the president of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, which is situated at Badplaas, Mpumalanga Province," the report reads.
Suspicions were then that the proceeds of a crime in South Africa were laundered to Namibia.
Becker said South African authorities and a Namibian commissioner met in "no-man's land" at the Ariamsvlei border post.
The commissioner allegedly flew to the border post and met a South African representative, who confirmed the incident, yet no case was registered with the police.
At that time, Namibian Police commissioner Elias Mutota headed this branch.
He was later removed from this department by police chief inspector general Sebastian Ndeitunga and placed with the special field force.
"The South African representative allegedly confirmed that Imanuwela David was the mastermind behind the burglary and supplied some names and photographs of his co-accused," the report reads.
However, Hengari on Friday denied that Geingob assisted Ramaphosa.
AUDIO RECORDING
According to Becker's report, following David's arrest in 2020, an audio recording suggested David was working as a security guard in South Africa, but had left his job.
Becker's report states the stolen money involved United States dollars that were stored inside a couch.
David and his team spent about two to three days at a place called Aventura in Warmbaths, Limpopo, planning how to steal the money, the report says.
It states that David was investigated for immigration violations and possible money laundering.
"In the interim, after an intelligence report from the Financial Intelligence Centre, we intend requesting an authorisation for a money-laundering investigation from the inspector general of the police, and will then start following up on the most obvious purchases, namely the lodge and Land Cruiser," the report reads.
The lodge in question is situated at Outapi and was bought by one of David's co-accused, Erkki Shikongo, for N$800 000.
He allegedly also bought a Toyota Land Cruiser for N$165 000.
All the properties were bought in cash.
Ndeitunga could yesterday not be reached for comment.
However, last Thursday he asked "What is that?" before ending the call.
His deputy, Joseph Shikongo, said the incident is a South African matter.
"I am not involved," he said.
Becker also declined to comment on the matter.
Less than a month after the incident, Ndeitunga removed commissioner Nelius Becker as head of the crime investigations department.
Becker then became the director of the National Forensic Science Institute of Namibia.
When David crossed into Namibia in 2020, he was allegedly driven by former acting National Fishing Corporation of Namibia (Fishcor) chief executive officer (CEO) Paulus Ngalangi.
When asked about the new allegations brought to light, Ngalangi referred to a media statement he wrote in June 2020.
Becker in 2020 considered charging both Ngalangi and the police officer who accompanied them.
"This may be problematic as we need to prove they were aware that ID (David) crossed and entered Namibia illegally. We are considering using the sergeant as a witness against the CEO," the report reads.
It states that the police wanted the officer to submit a statement saying Ngalangi engaged in telephonic conversations in the vehicle, indicating he was aware of the illegal entry.
Ngalangi in 2020 defended his decision to transport David from the border to Windhoek.
'ASKED BY A FRIEND'
He issued a media statement on Monday night in which he denied any wrongdoing.
"I was asked by a friend to collect a gentleman who was stuck with transport (sic) at Noordoewer on the Namibian side of the border," he said.
He then asked a police officer to accompany him, he said.
"The sergeant drove all the way to Windhoek. Please note that I asked the sergeant to accompany me on the basis that I don't get myself on the wrong side of the law," Ngalangi said.
In the statement he said David was dropped off at an address at Rocky Crest in Windhoek.
"I am willing to fully cooperate with all health and law-enforcement agencies. I am willing to fully go through the process. I am a law-abiding citizen. If any linkages of money or any criminal activities were involved, I am denying any involvement," he said.
This comes after the Namibian Presidency over the weekend denied that the two presidents discussed the incident.
Geingob's spokesperson, Alfredo Hengari, however, admitted that Geingob and Ramaphose interact on a regular basis.
Becker's report, which was leaked, states that the two presidents knew about the theft and burglary at Ramaphosa's farm and were in talks.
"Due to the sensitivity of the matter and the envisaged fallout it will create in South Africa they requested that the matter is handled with discretion. Discussions are allegedly ongoing between the countries' two presidents," Becker wrote.
The report also indicates that high-ranking Namibian police officers were aware of the incident and of Imanuwela David, one of the suspects, illegally entering the country.
The commissioner refers to David as 'ID'.
"Information further has it that ID and other accomplices (possibly a person called Erickson Shooya) committed a housebreaking and theft on the farm 'Ntabanyoni' of the president of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, which is situated at Badplaas, Mpumalanga Province," the report reads.
Suspicions were then that the proceeds of a crime in South Africa were laundered to Namibia.
Becker said South African authorities and a Namibian commissioner met in "no-man's land" at the Ariamsvlei border post.
The commissioner allegedly flew to the border post and met a South African representative, who confirmed the incident, yet no case was registered with the police.
At that time, Namibian Police commissioner Elias Mutota headed this branch.
He was later removed from this department by police chief inspector general Sebastian Ndeitunga and placed with the special field force.
"The South African representative allegedly confirmed that Imanuwela David was the mastermind behind the burglary and supplied some names and photographs of his co-accused," the report reads.
However, Hengari on Friday denied that Geingob assisted Ramaphosa.
AUDIO RECORDING
According to Becker's report, following David's arrest in 2020, an audio recording suggested David was working as a security guard in South Africa, but had left his job.
Becker's report states the stolen money involved United States dollars that were stored inside a couch.
David and his team spent about two to three days at a place called Aventura in Warmbaths, Limpopo, planning how to steal the money, the report says.
It states that David was investigated for immigration violations and possible money laundering.
"In the interim, after an intelligence report from the Financial Intelligence Centre, we intend requesting an authorisation for a money-laundering investigation from the inspector general of the police, and will then start following up on the most obvious purchases, namely the lodge and Land Cruiser," the report reads.
The lodge in question is situated at Outapi and was bought by one of David's co-accused, Erkki Shikongo, for N$800 000.
He allegedly also bought a Toyota Land Cruiser for N$165 000.
All the properties were bought in cash.
Ndeitunga could yesterday not be reached for comment.
However, last Thursday he asked "What is that?" before ending the call.
His deputy, Joseph Shikongo, said the incident is a South African matter.
"I am not involved," he said.
Becker also declined to comment on the matter.
Less than a month after the incident, Ndeitunga removed commissioner Nelius Becker as head of the crime investigations department.
Becker then became the director of the National Forensic Science Institute of Namibia.
When David crossed into Namibia in 2020, he was allegedly driven by former acting National Fishing Corporation of Namibia (Fishcor) chief executive officer (CEO) Paulus Ngalangi.
When asked about the new allegations brought to light, Ngalangi referred to a media statement he wrote in June 2020.
Becker in 2020 considered charging both Ngalangi and the police officer who accompanied them.
"This may be problematic as we need to prove they were aware that ID (David) crossed and entered Namibia illegally. We are considering using the sergeant as a witness against the CEO," the report reads.
It states that the police wanted the officer to submit a statement saying Ngalangi engaged in telephonic conversations in the vehicle, indicating he was aware of the illegal entry.
Ngalangi in 2020 defended his decision to transport David from the border to Windhoek.
'ASKED BY A FRIEND'
He issued a media statement on Monday night in which he denied any wrongdoing.
"I was asked by a friend to collect a gentleman who was stuck with transport (sic) at Noordoewer on the Namibian side of the border," he said.
He then asked a police officer to accompany him, he said.
"The sergeant drove all the way to Windhoek. Please note that I asked the sergeant to accompany me on the basis that I don't get myself on the wrong side of the law," Ngalangi said.
In the statement he said David was dropped off at an address at Rocky Crest in Windhoek.
"I am willing to fully cooperate with all health and law-enforcement agencies. I am willing to fully go through the process. I am a law-abiding citizen. If any linkages of money or any criminal activities were involved, I am denying any involvement," he said.
Source - The Namibian
