By Bernadette Wicks.
Fraud-accused Louis Liebenberg has abandoned bail for a second time in the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court.
Liebenberg and nine others – including his wife, Dezzi Liebenberg – were arrested in October and charged with a raft of crimes, including racketeering, fraud, money laundering and theft.
They allegedly convinced thousands of people to hand over a total of more than R4 billion worth of investments in the diamond industry, through two companies owned by and linked to Liebenberg – Tariomix, trading as Forever Diamonds and Gold, and Forever Zircon.
He promised massive returns that, in many cases, never materialised.
Eight of the accused were subsequently granted bail, but Dezzi was denied bail last week after the court found she was a flight risk.
Liebenberg’s bail application, meanwhile, kicked off on Monday, and he is now representing himself.
It was set to continue on Thursday when he was due to be cross-examined, having wrapped up his evidence-in-chief already.
When the matter was called up, however, Liebenberg indicated he no longer wanted bail – for now, at least.
“I’ve been pretty sick in prison the past few days and still am. I would like to abandon my bail application at this stage,” Liebenberg said from the witness box.
This is the second time he has abandoned bail.
During his first appearance in the dock, he also indicated – through his legal representative at the time – that he would not be making an application back then.
He subsequently changed his mind but has now, once again, done an about-turn.
In the interim, the case against him has been postponed until 4 February 2025, for further investigation. He will appear alongside his co-accused.