Louis Liebenberg's bail application faces further delays as lawyer withdraws over unpaid fees

There is yet another delay in the start of the bail application of diamond dealer Louis Liebenberg - this time after his lawyer withdrew from the case as he is apparently still waiting to be paid.

Liebenberg and his co-accused appeared again in the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, where his lawyer, Jaco du Plessis, indicated that while he is withdrawing at this stage, he may return if the financial arrangement can be sorted out.

Du Plessis also indicated that he is having problems consulting with Liebenberg, who is held at C-Max Prison in Pretoria.

Liebenberg, meanwhile, indicated to the court that he is trying his best to prepare in jail for his bail application.

He launched a successful application to be able to access documents on his cellphone, which he aims to use for his bail application.

He also indicated that he plans on calling about 55 witnesses in a bid to prove that the State has a weak case against him.

It is not certain at this stage whether he will handle his bail application or whether Du Plessis will assist him.

Liebenberg complained that while incarcerated in C-Max Prison, he had difficulty consulting with his lawyer.

He further complained that circumstances in the maximum prison also made it nearly impossible for him to speak to his wife, Dezzi Liebenberg.

She is also awaiting trial in jail after the lower court earlier denied her bail, and the high court subsequently turned down her appeal against the bail refusal.

Liebenberg’s bail application is, meanwhile, to proceed from August 7, over three days.

During Dezzi's bail application earlier, the State argued that the couple had attempted to hide more than R200 million from the authorities following a video depicting Liebenberg boasting about his fortunes online.

They are facing about 42 charges, including fraud, theft, racketeering, and money laundering.

The State alleges that Liebenberg operated a diamond syndicate that was involved in dealing with and luring unsuspecting investors to invest in unpolished diamonds through social media platforms. As such, he has been accused of fleecing his investors of more than R4 billion since 2019.

Liebenberg and his wife were arrested at a Gauteng restaurant on the night of October 22 last year after a five-year probe.

The couple stands accused along with their co-accused: Magdelena Petronella Kleynhans, Johannes Petrus Badenhorst, Helena Dorothea Amy Schulenburg, Adriaan Dewald Strydom, Christelle Badenhorst, Nicolize van Heerden, and Walter Niendinger.

zelda.venter@inl.co.za