Louis Liebenberg: State opposes wife’s bail bid
The Bronkhorstpruit Magistrate’s Court has postponed bail proceedings for Desiree Liebenberg to 21 November.
Louis Liebenberg and his wife Desiree remained the only two suspects still in custody after the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrates Court granted bail to his seven co-accused.
On Friday, the investigating officer read a statement in court supporting the state’s opposition to the couple’s bail application.
The court heard Desiree Liebenberg could be a flight risk and use alleged hidden assets to undermine the judicial process.
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The state has referred 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.
The state has argued that the 50-year-old may know where the money and other assets were allegedly hidden by her husband and could use this information 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, seeing as the funds would not come from her own pocket, Liebenberg would have no qualms about forfeiting the bail money.
Liebenberg reportedly reached out to his backers and business associates for financial support ahead of his bail on Friday.
A report in The Citizen claims Louis Liebenberg was confident his network of supporters would see him through the financial implications of his legal battle.
Liebenberg’s accounts were frozen by authorities, and, according to the publication, he called on his joint venture partners, including the Jacob Zuma Foundation, to save the business.
The businessman reportedly asked for a R5,000 “sponsorship” from each of his backers to fund legal costs and bail.
Liebenberg opted to pause his bail bid on Friday, adding that he didn’t want to delay his wife’s chance of being released. The businessman said he expected his opposed bail application, as the alleged mastermind of the elaborate scam, would be lengthy.
The group was nabbed last month and charged with over 50 counts linked to an alleged diamond investment scam that saw thousands of unsuspecting investors lose over R4 billion in 2019.
The other seven accused were granted bail of between R5,000 and R100,000 last month.
The main matter for all nine accused returns to court in February next year.
In her bail affidavit, Liebenberg said she intended to stand trial and would plead not guilty to all the charges against her.
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