Latest news with #BronkhorstspruitMagistrate'sCourt
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Bronkhorstspruit Dam hit by fish poachers: 244 carp killed, case dropped
Illegal angling is a massive problem throughout South Africa, with Gauteng and Mpumalanga greatly affected by this booming trade. The poachers are often not caught, and those who are arrested are merely a drop in the ocean compared to the destruction of freshwater sources and aquatic life. Perpetrators, if convicted, are mostly issued minimal fines. The police arrested three illegal immigrants last weekend for netting 244 large carp in the Bronkhorstspruit Dam. A bakkie used to transport bags filled with freshwater fish was confiscated. The culprits were to appear in the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate's Court on August 4 for violating the Gauteng Nature Conservation Act 12 of 1983 – specifically angling without a licence under Section 74. However, the court released the three with a warning and told them they would face a fine if caught again. The case, considered a lesser offence, was removed from the court roll. Detectives had to return the confiscated vehicle to its lawful owner in Soshanguve. These 244 carp, an alien and invasive species, represent only a small fraction compared to similar incidents in other areas. According to Warrant Officer Morné Kemp from the Cullinan Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit, poachers using nets can easily catch 500 fish within two days. The numbers escalate after spawning periods, when tiny fish hatch from their eggs. 'The small fish are caught and sold in Johannesburg,' Kemp said. Kemp has investigated multiple cases of freshwater fish poaching in Gauteng. 'We have a massive ongoing problem with illegal angling. Poachers' snares and nets can be found in all the main dams in the province, including local ones such as the Bronkhorstspruit Dam, Bonamanzi, Baja Dam, Pyramid Dam, and the Roodeplaat Dam.' Unfortunately, Kemp said, poachers often leave the nets in place for days before retrieving them – by which time the fish are dead and decomposing. 'Because of a shortage of law enforcement officers, the police cannot fully manage or curb these crimes. Assistance from volunteers, nature conservation officials, and coordinated operations is essential to combat these offences at dams and rivers.' Sergeant Francois Joubert, from the Mpumalanga Inland Water Wing based in Middelburg, said illegal angling is also rife in Mpumalanga. 'Two weeks ago, we pulled out about 1km of nets from the river in Grootvlei, which led to the deaths of nearly a thousand fish – mostly indigenous Orange River mudfish (modderbekke). This species is commonly found in the Orange and Vaal River systems. 'This is not a matter of people being hungry. Many of the fish were already dead and started to decompose.' According to Joubert, the nets vary – from makeshift to more sophisticated ones – kept afloat by polystyrene floats, with the net anchored below by bags of sand. Both Kemp and Joubert agreed that the majority of poachers are illegal immigrants who are causing irreparable damage to South Africa's dams.
The Star
6 days ago
- The Star
Court orders mental evaluation for diamond dealer Louis Liebenberg after courtroom outburst
Zelda Venter | Published 49 minutes ago Following a verbal outburst in court this week by diamond dealer Louis Liebenberg, the 61-year-old will now have to undergo a 30-day mental evaluation at Pretoria's Weskoppies Hospital. The Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate's Court decided to refer Liebenberg in this way , although a doctor who had evaluated him on Thursday morning did not recommend that he be referred for psychiatric observation. The magistrate hearing his bail application on Wednesday ordered that he had to see a doctor so that the latter could determine whether Liebenberg understood the court procedures. This was after what was supposed to be his bail application, conducted by himself, ended in chaos. Instead of arguing for bail, Liebenberg heatedly accused the magistrate, the prosecution, and correctional services of bullying him. During Thursday's proceedings, the magistrate told Liebenberg that the doctor probably saw him for half an hour or so, and cleared him to conduct his trial . But, after the previous day's actions where Liebenberg 'disrespected' the court and used 'foul' language, the final decision is with the court on whether to send him for mental observation. The magistrate said she needed to be sure that Liebenberg fully understood the court proceedings; thus, it is necessary to send him for an evaluation. The court further ordered that Legal Aid South Africa had to appoint a lawyer, free of charge, to represent Liebenberg. This is after his lawyer withdrew his services due to non-payment. Liebenberg, in turn, told the magistrate that he wanted her removed from his matter, as he claimed she was biased towards him. The matter was meanwhile postponed to August 29 to ascertain when a bed will be available at Weskoppies for Liebenberg. Apart from using foul language in court on Wednesday and telling the magistrate that she sounded like his mother, Liebenberg also addressed the fact that he had to address her as 'your worship". 'The Bible says clearly that I cannot worship anyone apart from God… We got this thing (calling a magistrate your worship) from England. It does not mean I don't have respect, but I have a problem calling someone 'worship' . We are in Africa. We have potholes. We are falling apart. And we are worshipping one another…,' Liebenberg told the magistrate. The magistrate on Wednesday, time and again told Liebenberg to get on with his bail application. She eventually ordered that he be seen by a doctor as he simply vented on. [email protected]
The Citizen
6 days ago
- The Citizen
Court chaos as diamond dealer Louis Liebenberg disrupts bail hearing
Facing over R4 billion in fraud charges, Liebenberg made bizarre allegations in court and refused to call the magistrate 'Your Worship'. A Bronkhorspruit magistrate told notorious diamond dealer Louis Liebenberg not to raise his voice at her minutes before stopping his bail application in the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate's Court yesterday and sending him for a doctor's checkup. Liebenberg, his wife, Desiree Liebenberg, Magdelena Petronella Kleynhans, Johannes Petrus Badenhorst, Helena Dorothea Amy Schulenburg, Adriaan Dewald Strydom, Christelle Badenhorst, Nicolize van Heerden and Walter Niendinger are accused of more than R4 billion in fraud. They face 42 counts of fraud (alternatively theft), five counts of racketeering, six counts of money laundering and various statutory offences, including contraventions of the Companies Act. Liebenberg claims he's being bullied Liebenberg was sent for medical observation during his bail application after getting into a heated debate with the magistrate and making various accusations against the magistrate, the court and even the minister of correctional services. 'They took me to the head of the prison, where I acted and I heard Pieter Groenewald's voice on the phone,' he said 'You know Groenewald talks a bit retarded, you can hear it's him, you can clearly hear it's him. He said give that man a hard time in prison,' he said. 'That evening, at 10 o'clock, 11 guys dressed in civil clothing and balaclavas came and put their fingers in my ass, looking for a cellphone. Obviously, they didn't find a phone,' he said. Liebenberg said he was being bullied by the state, bullied in prison, bullied by police, bullied by the liquidators, bullied by specialist investigator Mike Bolhuis and bullied by the press. 'I am being bullied by everybody,' he said. ALSO READ: Mashatile fined for failing to declare diamond gift from Louis Liebenberg Back and forth with magistrate Liebenberg and the magistrate got into a heated exchange when he insisted on talking about what happened in court on 23 July. 'I wasn't allowed a piece of paper until today. Do you want me to put my case in front of the court and once I come here, we end up in an argument and a pi**ing contest? It's a testosterone-driven conversation,' he said. Liebenberg and the magistrate exchanged harsh words, after which Liebenberg sat down and refused to continue with his bail application because he said the magistrate was biased. 'When I'm speaking, allow me to finish, then you can put up a stop stream. You have to show the same kind of respect that I am showing,' Liebenberg said. 'Yes, I am sure, you sound like my mother. Just leave me so that I can speak, please,' he answered the magistrate before sitting down with his head in his hands. More accusations and complaints He accused the magistrate of being biased and of enjoying the media attention on the case. Liebenberg also complained about conditions in the C-Max prison, where inmates were held at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre in Pretoria. He said there were rats bigger than cats in the basement cells. 'They run over your body at night, that happens,' he said. ALSO READ: Diamond dealer Louis Liebenberg: 'I'm no beggar – my support runs deep' Liebenberg said he had lost 42kg in prison and went down from 130kg to 88kg. 'I can't even walk 50 metres,' he said. Refusal to say 'Your Worship' He continued with his accusations and was stopped when he started talking about needing to eat brown bread instead of white and even told the magistrate that he was not comfortable calling her Your Worship. 'The Bible says clearly that I cannot worship anybody except God. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. 'We got this thing from Your Worship and Your Honour from England. It doesn't mean that I don't have respect. I have a problem with calling someone Your Worship. 'Where does it come from? We are in Africa with potholes and falling apart,' he said. Deteriorating health claims Liebenberg continued to talk about his deteriorating health and referred to acute attacks of gout and being stopped by the prison authorities from going on a hunger strike. The magistrate stopped Liebenberg when he again referred to the correctional services minister and asked the investigating officer to explain the bail application process to him again. She then referred him to the regional medical doctor to see if he was fit to follow the court proceedings, or be taken for observation. NOW READ: Mashatile fined for failing to declare diamond gift from Louis Liebenberg
IOL News
09-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Louis Liebenberg's bail application faces further delays as lawyer withdraws over unpaid fees
A much thinner Louis Liebenberg in the dock as his bail application is yet again delayed. Image: Zelda Venter 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. [email protected]
The Citizen
20-06-2025
- The Citizen
Two due in the docks for fatal stabbing of Grade 11 learner
Two due in the docks for fatal stabbing of Grade 11 learner Two learners, aged 19, are expected to appear before the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate's Court on June 20, facing a charge of murder. The duo are linked to the fatal stabbing of a 19-year-old Grade 11 learner at Lesedi Secondary School in Lethabong, an informal settlement in Donkerhoek, east of Pretoria. Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said their investigations revealed that the victim was attacked by two learners outside the school premises on June 18. The two fled on foot after the stabbing. Masondo said it is reported that the deceased was attacked by the first suspect, who stabbed him in the upper body. 'He was taken to the nearest medical care centre where he was certified dead on arrival,' Mavela explained. He said police opened a case of murder and searched for the two learners from the same school, who were persons of interest in this case. The family of the deceased said they are still in shock and could not believe that their son was murdered in such a brutal way. The deceased 's aunt, Shirley Mokonyane (64), said the family wants justice, and the police must speed up their investigations. She said their family was heartbroken. She said the law and the courts must make an example of the learners and hand down a sentence that will permanently remove the suspects from society. She also said the government needs to do something about the safety of children at school. Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said the department was deeply saddened by the fatal stabbing. According to preliminary reports, the matric learners did not attend school that day but allegedly arrived after school, just as learners were boarding their scholar transport. The two learners allegedly proceeded to attack the victim just outside the school yard. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
