Alleged diamond scammer Desiree Liebenberg denied bail

Liebenberg and his wife Desiree were the only two suspects still in custody after bail was granted to the other seven accused.

The group was arrested last month on a string of charges, including fraud, racketeering and money laundering, relating to an alleged diamond investment scam that saw unsuspecting victims lose a combined R4 billion.

Last week, the court heard Liebenberg could be a flight risk and use alleged hidden assets to undermine the judicial process.

The state referred the court to videos in which Louis Liebenberg tells his social media followers that he has hidden R200 million from liquidators and “corrupt government officials”, further adding that he could only trust his wife.

It opposed the 50-year-olds release on bail, arguing that she was a flight risk and could use hidden assets to evade trial.

It also emerged in court that a non-profit organisation ‘Louis Cares Foundation’ was registered last Thursday to raise legal fees and bail money for the accused.

The prosecution contended that Liebenberg would have no qualms about forfeiting the bail money, seeing as the funds would not come from her own pocket.

While the state didn’t oppose bail for the other seven accused people, it opposed the release of the Liebenbergs.

Nicolize van Heerden and Christelle Badenhorst were both granted bail of R5,000 earlier this month.

Badenhorst’s husband, Johannes, was granted bail of R15,000.

A week before that, Magdelena Kleynhans, Dorothea Schulenberg, and Walter Niendinger were granted bail ranging from R20,000 to R100,000.

The main matter for all nine accused returns to court in February next year.

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