tyb
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ty for the love
Angola hits 'Princess' dos Santos with asset freeze
Angola has frozen the assets of Isabel dos Santos, the billionaire daughter of the country’s previous leader, in a sign that President João Lourenço is taking a tougher line against the former first family. Since ending José Eduardo dos Santos’ nearly 40-year grip on power in 2017, Lourenço has been trying to erase the influence of his predecessor and reform sub-Saharan Africa’s third-largest economy.
The move against Isabel dos Santos comes as the ex-president’s son, José Filomeno de Sousa, faces corruption charges, accused of helping transfer $500 million from the sovereign wealth fund.
Called “Africa’s wealthiest woman”, Isabel dos Santos amassed a fortune estimated at more than $2 billion through stakes in Angolan companies including banks and the telecoms firm Unitel, earning her the nickname “the Princess”. She chaired the state oil company Sonangol before being sacked by Lourenço months after he came to power.
A court document dated Dec. 23 said the government believed Isabel dos Santos, her husband Sindika Dokolo and Mário Leite da Silva, chairman of Banco de Fomento Angola (BFA), had caused the state losses of more than $1 billion.
“The state through its companies Sodiam (a diamond marketing firm) and Sonangol transferred enormous quantities of foreign currency to companies abroad whose beneficiaries are the defendants, without receiving the agreed return,” the court said. “The defendants recognize the existence of the debt but allege that they do not have the means to pay.” A Lisbon-based spokesman for Isabel dos Santos said she had not yet issued an official statement on the court ruling.
Dokolo said a statement was being prepared. Reuters was unable to reach da Silva, and BFA did not answer calls seeking comment.
Isabel dos Santos has previously denied wrongdoing during her father’s time in office.
She tweeted late on Monday: “I would like to leave a message of tranquillity and confidence to my teams … We will continue, every day, in every business, doing our best and fighting for what I believe in for Angola. The road is long, the truth will prevail. United we stand stronger.”
The asset freeze applies to personal bank accounts of dos Santos, Dokolo and da Silva in Angola and stakes they hold in Angolan firms including Unitel, BFA and ZAP MIDIA. Dos Santos is believed to live in Portugal and Britain and to have a significant portion of her wealth offshore. The court said the central bank would ensure that no funds leave the Angolan bank accounts of the three accused.
The boards of each of the nine Angolan companies affected by the asset freeze must ensure that the relevant stakes are not sold and that no profits from the shares are transferred to the accused.
https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-angola-corruption/angola-hits-princess-dos-santos-with-asset-freeze-idUKKBN1YZ0IF
it's a role. he has much to answer for. trust that he plays his role well.
chek'd evil trips
chek'd and respect.
d'Orsay museum on the left bank of seine in paris
they are not very bright.