Since 2015, Dutch authorities have subjected companies listing Isabel dos Santos and Sindika Dokola as sole beneficiaries to more intense and frequent scrutiny. According to an email dated May 20, 2016, Mr. Dokolo expressed his strong contempt of Western banking institutions and Dutch authorities now look closely for suspicious financial activity involving Africa’s wealthiest. Sindika is suspected of funneling money out of Africa illegally and moving it into offshore accounts with the help of corrupt bankers, real estate agents and lawyers. Money that could be used to improve living conditions, health care and the education of Africa’s citizens, instead leaves the country and is hidden by wealthy oligarchs.
Email thread between Konema Mwenenge and his financial advisor:
But, Mr. Dokolo did not work alone. Those closest to Dokolo knew he trusted two people with business decisions: his wife and a high school friend known for being private and discreet. This friend, Konema Mwenenge, has a reputation as a hard worker and is very skilled in off-shore finance.
Mwenenge, a French citizen, but of Congolese origin, is the son an aristocrat hailing from the Mobutu Sese Seko second republic. While, Sindika boasts his wealth, a show-off oligarch, Konema shuns social events despite his status.
Mwenenge, works from an address in the eight political district in Paris. There Mr. Dokolo installs Konema into a management position to head the he and Isabel’s shell companies. According to Luanda Leaks, and a person close to the couple, Mwenege works rigorously for Sinkida and Isabel.
In addition to working and operating in Paris, Mr. Mwenenge has one of his established financial service companies operating in London. And in collaboration with Mr. Dokolo, he created an extremely lucrative diamond trading platform in Dubai that grosses $2 billion each year in precious gems from Angola and other locations.
It appears Konema Mwenenge’s influence in the Dokolo and Santos empire is everywhere. Sindika Dokolo and Isabel dos Santos, per information shared on a presentation brochure from October 2016, are recorded as the shareholders to an Angolan brewery by the name of Sodiba.
Using the construction of this brewery, Konema Mwenenge, expanded transactions and receipts using Sodiba and by April of 2014 to the tune of $149 million dollars.
Further, according to Luanda Leaks, between October 2015 and February 2017, Mwenge generated approximately $3 million worth of invoices to the Angolan brewery and at least sixteen companies linked to Isabel dos Santos and Sindika Dokolo recorded transactions with Sodiba-most of the companies were based from off shore tax havens.
For these particular transactions, Mr. Mwenenge utilizes six offshore companies that he represents and manages. This suspicious activity never raises suspicions or reservations from the law firms he hires or the accountants that he collaborates with and hires. Konema Mwenenge explains that the funds are categorized as “shareholder loans.” Dokolo defends the workings of the Sodiba brewery and contends that not one dollar of state funds were ever used. Dokolo argued that The Angolan Agency for the Promotion of Private Investment does not fund projects and Sodiba was a completely private investment.
Further, no questions were ever raised about another of his companies registered in the British Virgin Islands that took on a staggering $5 million in consulting contracts.
When reached for comment, Mr. Mwenenge did not wish to reply.