South African diamond tycoon and independent candidate for the 2024 General Elections has had his home and office raided by sheriffs. According to IOL, Louis Liebenberg’s home in Cape Town and office in Kempton Park, Gauteng, were raided simultaneously by sheriffs hoping to attach Liebenberg’s assets.
Furthermore, the report states the raids were conducted at the behest of liquidators of Tariomix, also known as Forever Diamonds and Gold. The company was Liebenberg’s and liquidators were looking for movable and immovable assets funded by Tariomix investors. This follows a ruling this month in the Mahikeng High Court in which Tariomix was put into final liquidation.
SOUTH AFRICAN DIAMOND TYCOON
While that may not look great for the South African diamond tycoon and his political aspirations, Liebenberg was acquitted of allegations that he was operating a Ponzi scheme. In the IOL report, Judge Selemeng Mokose ruled that the state failed to present compelling evidence to the court that Liebenberg traded illegally in uncut diamonds. The South African diamond tycoon did have his bank accounts frozen due to potentially unlawful activities. However, Liebenberg did successfully argue that the applicant did not act in good faith.
INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE
Liebenberg was in the spotlight recently when he announced his independent candidacy for the 2024 General Elections. TimesLive reported from his political campaign launch in Rosebank just last week. The diamond dealer says he will be contesting in Gauteng and the Free State only.
At the event he was quoted as saying, “I’m a salesman. I got 50 000 to give me R5 billion in the past three years to go and mine. I propagate partnerships between those with and without capital.” Liebenberg believes his number one skill is convincing people who have capital to share their wealth so that both rich and poor can benefit.
SPICY VIEWS ON HIS COMPETITION
At his Rosebank campaign launch, the South African diamond tycoon shared his views on opposition political parties. He said it’s time to unseat President Cyril Ramaphosa. However, he maintains he’s never been involved with the African National Congress (ANC). Even though he’s alleged to have met with Jacob Zuma at Nkandla after the July 2021 riots.
Likewise, he’s a financial backer of Zuma’s new uMkhonto Wesizwe party. He also called Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen a “colonialist still sitting there in the Western Cape”. He said the SA won’t be able to create 2-million jobs, because they can only create jobs where the money is (which is Gauteng).
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