Diamond dealer Louis Liebenberg and his wife were arrested at a restaurant in Gauteng on Tuesday night, 22 October 2024. Hawks national spokesperson Brigadier Thandi Mbambo confirmed their arrest, along with six other suspects in Gauteng and North West. A ninth suspect was detained on Wednesday morning.
The arrests are part of a multi-disciplinary operation led by the Northern Cape Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit, which has been investigating Liebenberg’s company, Tariomix—operating under the name Forever Diamonds and Gold—since 2019. The suspects are believed to be involved in a diamond syndicate dealing in unpolished diamonds and fraudulent investments. They are expected to face charges of fraud, money laundering, theft, and racketeering at the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court outside Pretoria on Thursday, 24 October 2024.
The alleged mastermind of the scheme, Louis Liebenberg, is accused of advertising unpolished diamonds on social media, luring potential investors with promises of high returns. However, the promised profits never materialized. His wife and others involved face similar charges.
This is not Liebenberg’s first encounter with the law. In July 2021, a Pretoria High Court order provisionally froze approximately R100 million in Tariomix’s accounts amid money laundering and Ponzi scheme allegations. However, in 2023, Liebenberg was acquitted of Ponzi scheme charges when the court found insufficient evidence of illegal diamond trading.
Liebenberg, a known benefactor of former president Jacob Zuma, has provided financial support for Zuma’s legal battles, including a court case against prosecutor Billy Downer and journalist Karyn Maughan. He attended a political gathering addressed by Zuma in March 2024, during which Zuma promised the safety of white South Africans if the uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party gained power.
Liebenberg’s activities have also drawn the attention of the SA Human Rights Commission due to allegations of him making racist remarks.
The acting Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major-General Matroos, commended the investigation team, stating that this successful operation shows that the law eventually catches up with those who break it.
DA National Spokesperson Willie Aucamp highlighted the role of former Northern Cape Member of Parliament Veronica van Dyk in exposing Liebenberg’s illegal activities. Despite facing intimidation and a lawsuit from Liebenberg, van Dyk remained steadfast in her pursuit of justice.
Aucamp noted that Liebenberg’s close ties to Zuma helped finance Zuma’s failed private prosecutions and other legal challenges, including an unsuccessful bid to run as an independent candidate in the 2024 national elections.
