Diamond dealer and alleged fraudster Louis Liebenberg set to appear in court

JOHANNESBURG - Controversial diamond dealer and alleged fraudster Louis Liebenberg is set to appear in the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrates Court on Thursday morning.

Liebenberg, along with eight others, including his wife, Dezzi, was arrested last week on charges of racketeering, fraud, and money laundering.

He is commonly known for being outspoken about his support for former President Jacob Zuma, with whom he shares close ties.

From a diamond dealer, unafraid to push his weight behind Zuma, to an alleged con artist - that’s the new outfit Liebenberg will don when he appears alongside eight others in the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrates Court.

He, together with his co-accused, stands accused of running a massive investment scam, in which they allegedly conned thousands of people into investing R4 billion in a diamond scheme.

The alleged scam was run through two companies owned by Liebenberg, Tariomix, and Forever Zircon.

Among his co-accused are Dezzi, his former lawyer, personal assistant, as well as directors and employees of the companies in question.

During his first appearance last week, Liebenberg abandoned his bail.