“Both Liebenbergs were handcuffed and taken away in different vehicles. The police wouldn’t say where there are being taken.”
The controversial diamond dealer Louis Liebenberg and his wife, Dezzi, was arrested by the Hawks on Tuesday at the Tonino restaurant at the Benoni Country Club.
Louis’ online publication, Die Waarheid Media, announced the news on their website.
“Louis and Dezzi Liebenberg has just been arrested by Colonel Danie Bruwer and around 15 heavily weaponed men from the Hawks at Tonino, an Italian Country Club at the Benoni Country Club where they had dinner,” a statement on the website read.
“Both Liebenbergs were handcuffed and taken away in different vehicles. The police wouldn’t say where there are being taken, but Louis’ legal representatives have been notified of the arrestations. The Liebenbergs is expected to appear in a magistrate’s court tomorrow.”
‘Several arrestations to follow’
The private investigator Mike Bolhuis also confirmed on Tuesday that Louis and Dezzi have been arrested. He thanked whistle blowers, the public, the media, his own investigative team and singled out Bruwer and his team for his “brilliant” work.
“We still request the public to come forward with any information regarding Louis. We’ve already discovered three more bank accounts. We have ‘shitload’ of people working together on this case.”
According to Bolhuis this was the first of many arrestations. “Several institutions is involved, including the South African Revenue Service (Sars). Members of the South African Police Service (Sapd), the Hawks, other specialist services and many more institutions is going after them.”
Eight people arrested by Wednesday morning
By Wednesday morning, eight people who were allegedly involved who are alleged to have been involved in Louis’ diamond investment scam.
“The operation, which resumed last night, rounded up suspects in Gauteng and North West. The suspects includes a couple wherein the husband is alleged to be the mastermind behind the scam along with his wife.
Diamond investors were scammed of more than R4 billion since 2019, Spokesperson Colonel Philani Nkwalase of the Haws said in a statement.
More arrests are imminent, and the suspects are expected to appear in Bronkhospruit Magistrate’s court on Thursday, 24 October. The charges which include, but not limited to fraud, money laundering, theft and racketeering.
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