The trial of three people accused of stealing foreign currency from President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm is scheduled to begin today at the Modimolle Regional Court in Limpopo.
The accused, Immanuela David and siblings Floriana and Ndilinasho Joseph, are facing charges of housebreaking, theft, and conspiracy to commit housebreaking with intent to steal. They allegedly broke into the farm and stole more than US580 000 that had been concealed in a sofa.
David remains in custody after being denied bail, while the Joseph siblings were released on bail.
According to the state, 23 witnesses are expected to testify during the trial. The defence for the Joseph siblings has indicated that they will call five witnesses, including the two accused.
Floriana Joseph was employed as a domestic worker on the farm at the time of the incident and is alleged to have informed her co-accused about the presence of the money.