R1.5 million fine for illegal diamond dealing

NORTHERN CAPE. – Spirro Louverdus, from Kimberley, pleaded guilty before the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on a charge of illegal diamond dealing.

Nomthandazo Mnisi, spokesperson for the directorate for priority crime investigation (Hawks), says Louverdus was sentenced to five years imprisonment wholly suspended for five years and a further fine of R1.5 million.

Illegal diamond dealing

This follows a project driven investigation by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation which started in 2014 addressing issues of illegal diamond dealings.

Ashley Brooks (61), Patrick Mason(49), Monojkumar Detroya (35), Komilan Packirisamy (49), Ahmed Khorani (35), Antonella Florio-Poone (50), McDonald Visser (43), Willem Weenink (48), Joseph Sarel van Graaf (52)), Carl Steve van Graaf (56), Kevin Urry (66), Trevor Pikwane (71) and Frank Perridge (51) were arrested in 2014 during the execution of a project.

Applauded investigation team

Meanwhile the case against Louverdus was on the court roll after the appeal at Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court set aside the permanent stay of prosecution. The case against his co-accused Kevin Urry has been withdrawn.

The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Kholekile Galawe applauded the investigating team and the Prosecuting Authorities for the great conviction.

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