A large diamond that businessman Louis Liebenberg gave to the wife of South African Deputy President Humila Mashatile as a gift will be returned to him, a local newspaper said. According to the report, Liebenbergis is currently on trial for fraud and creation of the Ponzi scheme.
"Because there were no issues, she took the gift. It was going to be declared. But first, they needed to authenticate the piece and also determine its cost so that when you declare, you declare based also on the cost of what has been given," Keith Khoza, Mashatile’s spokesperson told the media.
Khoza added that while the inquiry went on, the staff "came across the information about a number of allegations that were raised against Mr. Liebenberg."
"So, we felt that given the character of Mr. Liebenberg is in question and his dealings with other questionable [people], it would not be prudent to accept anything from him," he explained.
The media added that Liebenberg, his wife, and seven others stand trial on 42 charges of fraud, theft, racketeering, and money laundering, as well as and operating a scheme involving unpolished gems, but the businessmen reject all accusations.
According to a local newspaper, now Liebenberg is in custody, his trial was postponed to February 4, 2025, for further investigation.