DailySun
Pretoria – Authorities have successfully secured a preservation order for a property valued at R2.2 million, owned by Johannes Jakobus Badenhorst, commonly known as Hannes Badenhorst, and his wife, Christelle Badenhorst, amidst allegations that it was acquired through unlawful proceeds.
On Friday, March 14, 2025, Lumka Mahanjana, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), announced: “The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the NPA in Pretoria has obtained a preservation order from the Pretoria High Court to protect a residence in Hartbeespoort, North West, valued at R2.2 million, registered under Johannes Jakobus Badenhorst and his spouse, Christelle.”
The couple bought the property in May 2022 for R2.2 million, and it continues to be registered in their names, with both currently residing there.
“Investigations by the AFU determined that the funds used to purchase the property originated from Tarioco (Pty) Ltd, a company founded by Louis Petrus Liebenberg, which is part of the Forever Diamonds and Gold (FDG) group of companies,” explained Mahanjana.
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Hannes Badenhorst was one of the directors of Tarioco.
“They operated a syndicate that lured the public into entering Joint Venture agreements with the FDG group, encouraging them to invest in diamond parcels that were reportedly to be sold by the FDG group, with profits to be shared among participants,” Mahanjana highlighted.
Investors were promised substantial returns on their investments.
“However, evidence has shown that this operation was fraudulent—the diamond parcels were nonexistent, and the money from investors was used to purchase a mine and properties for the directors,” Mahanjana clarified.
“Additional evidence revealed that new investors were compensated with the funds from earlier investors, which is indicative of a classic Ponzi scheme.”
It is crucial to note that the preserved house is not among the assets taken by the liquidators of Tariomix.
“The next step is to seek a final forfeiture order. Once granted, the house will be auctioned off to the public, with the proceeds directed to the Criminal Assets Recovery Account,” Mahanjana stated.
The criminal proceedings against the two individuals and others linked to the Liebenberg case, including nine additional individuals, are set to be heard on July 8, 2025, at the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court.
“Advocate Martin Mafojane, Head of the Pretoria AFU, has expressed his support for the preservation order and assures the public that the AFU is committed to recovering the proceeds of crime,” Mahanjana affirmed.
