Central SA
Diamond case: Louis and Dezzi Liebenberg remain in custody─── ZENANDE MPAME 14:28 Fri, 01 Nov 2024
Four of the accused in the Louis Liebenberg diamond case have been granted bail, while he and his wife were remanded in custody pending their bail application on Friday, 15 November.
The case against the other seven accused has been postponed to 4 February for further investigations. Liebenberg (60), his wife, Desiree (50), Magdelena Kleynhans (54), Johannes Badenhorst (41), Helena Schulenburg (59), Adriaan Strydom (35), Christelle Badenhorst (42), Nicolize van Heerden (58), and Walter Niendinger (55) appeared in the Bronkhorstspruit magistrate’s court for a bail application on Thursday (31/10).
Four of the accused were granted bail unopposed, said Gauteng NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana. Petrus Badenhorst was granted bail of R15,000, Adriaan Strydom R20,000, and Christelle Badenhorst and Nicolize van Heerden R5,000 each.
“All the accused have been charged with an additional count of theft, two counts of corruption, and money laundering for Liebenberg, as well as corruption and money laundering for Desiree Liebenberg.”
“Allegations a frivolous attempt to mislead the court.” Photo: Mike Bolhuis report
The nine face a total of 42 counts of fraud or theft, five counts of racketeering, six counts of money laundering, and various statutory offences, including violations of the Companies Act, she added.
Meanwhile, Liebenberg claimed the minister of correctional services, Dr Pieter Groenewald, instructed prison guards to make his life difficult.
“I firmly refute the allegations against me and am prepared to provide a sworn affidavit to support my position,” Groenewald has said in reaction to the accusations.
ALI VAN WYK tries to unravel how alleged fraudster Louis Liebenberg managed to channel R4 billion through his businesses and wonders what the ultimate plan was.
— Vrye Weekblad (@vryeweekblad) November 1, 2024
Click on the link to read the article:https://t.co/bddSD5YSl9#vryeweekblad #mixmasala #dinkvirjouself #virjouself… pic.twitter.com/oHL0nbjMuG
“This is a frivolous attempt to mislead the court in granting bail by trying to win the court’s sympathy.”
The businessman, his wife, and their co-accused were arrested after allegedly defrauding investors of more than R4 billion since 2019. Two businesses owned by Liebenberg – Tariomix, which operated under the names Forever Diamonds, and Gold and Forever Zircon – served as channels for the alleged scams.
Additionally, the accused allegedly promised investors large profits, which often did not materialise, while keeping the majority of the money they received.
