Belgian Prosecutors search properties linked to Tshisekedi’s family

Belgian prosecutors have searched properties linked to relatives and associates of Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix Tshisekedi as part of an investigation into suspected money laundering involving revenues from the country’s mineral wealth.

The searches took place on Wednesday in Brussels and surrounding areas, including locations in Flemish Brabant and Walloon Brabant, according to reports by Reuters and Belgian media.

Authorities have not publicly identified all those targeted.

The investigation follows a complaint filed in Belgium in July 2025 by lawyers representing civil society organisations from Congo’s mineral-rich Katanga region and four former directors of state-owned mining company Gécamines.

The complainants allege that individuals with close links to Tshisekedi benefited from the alleged misappropriation of mining revenues.

The allegations have not been established in court.

According to Belgian news agency Belga, the complaint targeted nine members of the president’s family, including his wife, sons, brothers, cousins and a sister-in-law.

The legal action focused on individuals holding Belgian citizenship, allowing the complainants to pursue the case in Belgium.

The allegations concern suspected corruption and the unlawful exploitation of mining resources in the southern provinces of Lualaba and Upper Katanga.

The Democratic Republic of Congo possesses substantial reserves of copper and cobalt, minerals essential to global industries, including electric vehicle batteries and electronics.

The Congolese presidency had not publicly commented on the searches, Reuters reported.

No conclusion of criminal wrongdoing should be drawn from the searches or the allegations alone.

The case follows earlier criticism from civil society groups over the management of Congo’s natural resources.

In April 2025, the DESC/RDC coalition raised concerns about the alleged diversion of mineral wealth in Katanga and pointed to people connected to the president’s family.

The investigation also recalls corruption cases involving relatives or associates of other African leaders.

In South Africa, former president Jacob Zuma’s administration was investigated over allegations that the Gupta business family had exerted improper influence over government appointments and state contracts.

A judicial inquiry later found evidence of state capture during Zuma’s presidency, although allegations concerning particular individuals and transactions must be assessed separately.

Zuma and the Gupta family denied wrongdoing.

In Equatorial Guinea, Teodorin Obiang, son of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and the country’s vice-president, was convicted by a French court in a case involving the acquisition of assets with funds found to have been unlawfully obtained.

France’s highest court upheld the conviction in 2021.