Dezzi Liebenberg's Bail Denied Amidst Allegations of Hidden Wealth and Flight Risk

In a recent court decision at the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate's Court, Dezzi Liebenberg, the wife of notorious diamond dealer Louis Liebenberg, was refused bail amidst a whirlwind of legal and personal turmoil. The decision on Thursday, 21 November, followed intense deliberations that started since her initial bail hearing on 15 November. The couple was arrested back in October, and since then, their lives have taken a dramatic turn.

Dezzi, 50, faced the magistrate with hopes of a bail grant but was instead met with a staunch refusal, as the magistrate declared that releasing her would not "serve the interests of justice." The reasoning behind this decision stemmed from various factors perceived by the court, including her potential flight risk. It was revealed during the hearings that Dezzi no longer has private protection and is also facing eviction, factors that the prosecution argued could propel her to flee.

Moreover, the allegations against her included possible access to undisclosed valuables and knowledge about her husband's covert financial resources, marking her a risk to retain or liquidate such assets if released. Her bail denial means she will remain in custody until 4 February, with her next glimmer of hope being tied to the result of her husband's upcoming bail application, scheduled for 25 November.

During the court proceedings, a peculiar incident occurred as Louis, who also faces charges, was expelled from the courtroom. In what can only be described as an act of defiance or distress, he was heard singing loudly from the cells, an action that did little to sway judicial sentiment in their favor. Louis had postponed his own bail application, naively hoping it might facilitate an earlier release for Dezzi.

The legal woes of the Liebenbergs stretch far and wide as they are implicated along with seven others in a case involving 42 counts of fraud, theft, racketeering, and money laundering - a significant blow to their reputations and freedom. Despite the charges, Dezzi has maintained her innocence, pleading not guilty and stressing her lack of access to any incriminating evidence or her ability to influence connected parties.

The couple's connection intensified around 2021 when Dezzi, despite no prior experience in the diamond industry, bizarrely landed a director position at Tariomix on 30 June 2024. This appointment has further tangled her in the web of legal scrutiny concerning her qualifications and real role in the enterprise.

As the case unfolds, Louis Liebenberg will be brought back from Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre to Bronkhorstspruit for his bail hearing, an event that is eagerly awaited by both his legal team and the media for any further developments in this high-profile case.