Alleged diamond dealer Liebenberg claims intimidation in prison

JOHANNESBURG. Allegations of intimidation and threats have been made by controversial diamond trader Louis Liebenberg while incarcerated at Kgosi Mampuru Prison in Pretoria.

Liebenberg, his wife and seven of his employees and partners appeared at the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court on Thursday on charges of fraud, theft, money laundering and racketeering.

The defendants were arrested for running a 4.4 billion rand diamond investment scheme that defrauded thousands of investors.

Addressing the court, Liebenberg’s attorney, who cannot be identified because of a court order, said his client had been targeted in prison.

READ: Diamond merchant, Louis Liebenberg, right: 4 released on bail

“Everyone with whom he was in custody was attacked if they were friends with him. Late at night they entered his cell, searched him, and also conducted an examination of my client’s cavity, accusing him of having a mobile phone, which he and did not have,” said Liebenberg’s lawyer.

He claims that Liebenberg is a victim of mental abuse.

“They are trying to intimidate him, break him, as he says, mentally. He is also threatened all the time by the guards, it’s not other prisoners, it’s the guards. They threaten him all the time, they say he’s up to something when he’s isolated,” – he added.