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In a scene reminiscent of an action movie, the quiet evening atmosphere of a Gauteng restaurant was disrupted as heavily armed members of the Hawks, South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, apprehended diamond dealer Louis Liebenberg and his wife, Dezzi, on Tuesday night. A witness at the scene reported formidable show force, with members carrying long guns, although dressed in plain clothes rather than uniforms, as they executed the arrest.
The operation, which was spearheaded by the Hawks' serious organised crime investigation unit from the Northern Cape, marks a significant crackdown on a sophisticated diamond investment scam. According to Hawks spokesperson Brig Thandi Mbambo, the bust did not end at the restaurant. In total, eight suspects across Gauteng and North West have been arrested, entangling a group alleged to have swindled diamond investors out of a staggering R4 billion.
[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
Brigadier Mbambo also hinted at more developments, with further arrests likely on the horizon, sparking widespread speculation and anticipation about the scope of the fraudulent network. The suspects are due for their initial magistrate's court appearance in Bronkhorstspruit, offering the public and investors affected by the scam their first glance at justice in motion.
Louis and Dezzi Liebenberg’s roles in the scam remain to be unfurled in court, yet the fact that the couple were regulars at Tonino's – the East Rand eatery from which they were whisked away – has not gone unnoticed. They were known to the staff for their tipping habits, which depending on their mood, were a measure of their largesse or frugality.
It is worth noting the significance of the arrested couple, especially juxtaposing their alleged actions with their public demeanor. While enjoying lavish dining, they are accused of simultaneously being at the center of one of the largest investment scam nets South Africa has witnessed in recent years.
The story of the Liebenbergs and the other six culprits now winds its way to the judicial system, and as it unfurls, it will no doubt have critical implications for the diamond trade and investment protection in South Africa. This event serves as a stark reminder of the fine line between legitimate business dealings and fraudulent schemes that can have devastating impacts on investors and the economy alike.