Cape Town – Diamond dealer Louis Liebenberg and his wife Dezzi were arrested by heavily armed Hawks members at a restaurant in Gauteng on Tuesday night, reports say.
According to Times Live, they face multiple charges, including fraud, money laundering, theft, and racketeering, as part of a broader investigation into a diamond investment scam that allegedly defrauded investors of over R4 billion.
“A multi-disciplinary operation led by Northern Cape Hawks’ serious organised crime investigation unit led to the arrest of eight suspects who are alleged to have been involved in a diamond investment scam,” the report quoted Hawks spokesperson Brig Thandi Mbambo as saying.
[BREAKING NEWS] Hawks arrest 8 suspects alleged to have been involved in a diamond investment scam worth R4bn. Die Waarheid Media names Zuma benefactor Louis Liebenberg and his wife Dezzi as key suspects. More details on #eNCA #Dtv403 #QuestionThinkAct pic.twitter.com/tetOS5m7pu
— eNCA (@eNCA) October 23, 2024
The couple is expected to appear in Bronkhorstspruit magistrate’s court on Thursday.
Witnesses reported seeing a group of armed individuals enter Tonino’s restaurant, where the couple was apprehended in a private room.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
