WATCH LIVE: Louis Liebenberg and co-accused back in court

The notorious diamond dealer Louis Liebenberg and his wife, Dezzi, and seven others stand trial on 42 charges of fraud, theft, racketeering and money laundering on Thursday.

The rest of the accused are Walter Niedinger, Liebenberg’s former lawyer, Ronelle Kleynhans, co-director of his company Tariomix, Nicky van Heerden, his personal assistant, Helena Schulenburg, former office manager, as well as two other former directors of his companies, Hannes and Christelle Badenhorst.

Diamond investors were scammed of more than R4 billion since 2019, Hawks spokesperson Colonel Philani Nkwalase said in a statement.

The scam was operated under Liebenberg’s company Tariomix, better known by its trading name Forever Diamonds and Gold (FDG).

Bail of R20 000 each was granted a week ago to Kleynhans and Schulenberg. Niedinger was released on bail of R100 000.

The rest of the bail applications are expected to be heard on Thursday in the Magistrate’s Court in Bronkhorstspruit.

Watch the court proceedings live here:

Watch: Liebenberg shouts ‘viva MK’ in court

Diamond dealer and alleged fraudster, Louis Liebenberg, enters the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrates Court together with his eight co-accused as members of the #MK party clap. Liebenberg shouts "MK" before being escorted out as the prosecution was not ready for them to enter court. pic.twitter.com/ca2nP5WFpI

— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) October 31, 2024

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13:31 Bail to the amount of R5 000 is granted to Nicky van Heerden.

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13: 43 Bail to the amount of R 5 000 is granted to Cristelle Badenhorst, although the magistrate indicated that her case is worrisome. However, he decided to release her to be with her children. Hannes Badenhorst, her husband, is released on bail to the amount of R15 000.

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Watch: More on the diamond investment scam

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