Forever Diamonds: Badenhorst Family’s $2.2M House at Risk of Preservation Orders
Pretoria – Authorities have successfully obtained a preservation order for a property valued at R2.2 million, owned by Johannes Jakobus Badenhorst, also known as Hannes Badenhorst, and his spouse, Christelle Badenhorst, amid suspicions that it was acquired through illicit proceeds.
On Friday, March 14, 2025, Lumka Mahanjana, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), stated: “The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the NPA in Pretoria has secured a preservation order from the Pretoria High Court to safeguard a house in Hartbeespoort, North West, valued at R2.2 million, owned by Johannes Jakobus Badenhorst and his wife, Christelle.”
The couple purchased the house in May 2022 for R2.2 million, and it remains registered in their names, with both still living in the property.
“The AFU’s investigations revealed that the funds utilized for acquiring the property were derived from Tarioco (Pty) Ltd, a company established by Louis Petrus Liebenberg as part of the Forever Diamonds and Gold (FDG) group of companies,” Mahanjana clarified.
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Hannes Badenhorst served as one of the directors of Tarioco.
“They operated a syndicate enticing the public to engage in Joint Venture agreements with the FDG group by investing in diamond parcels, which were allegedly to be sold by the FDG group, with profits shared among participants,” Mahanjana noted.
“However, evidence indicated that this scheme was fraudulent—the diamond parcels were nonexistent, and the funds from investors were utilized to buy a mine and properties for the directors,” Mahanjana explained.
“Further evidence showed that new investors were compensated with the investments made by previous investors, which reflects the characteristics of a classic Ponzi scheme.
It is important to note that the preserved house is not included among the assets seized by the liquidators of Tariomix.
“The next phase involves requesting a final forfeiture order. Once granted, the house will be sold at a public auction, with proceeds allocated to the Criminal Assets Recovery Account,” Mahanjana stated.
The criminal case against the two individuals and others involved in the Liebenberg case, along with nine additional persons, is scheduled to appear on July 8, 2025, at the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court.
“Advocate Martin Mafojane, the Head of the Pretoria AFU, has expressed his approval of the preservation order and reassures the public that the AFU remains dedicated to recovering proceeds of crime,” Mahanjana affirmed.