The soap opera of the taking hostage of Claudine Masamba’s legacy by her brothers continues to fuel discussions. Since its opening in December 2022 at the Tribunal de Grande Instance of Kinshasa/Matete, the case has not made any significant progress. Despite several postponements linked to delaying maneuvers and formal defects, the legal file still seems to be blocked as to the discussions on the merits.
At the heart of this case is the denunciation by Claudine Masamba of the illicit sale of an inheritance property, namely a plot located in the commune of Limete in Kinshasa. Six of his brothers would have sold this plot for the sum of 700,000 US dollars, based on false protocols and sales agreements. Claudine Masamba has decided to take the case to court in order to restore her heir rights and get out of joint ownership.
However, during the hearing on December 23, 2022, it was discovered that Claudine Masamba’s brothers residing abroad had not been reached by the procedure. It was therefore necessary to regularize this situation in order to continue the legal process.
After having regularized the service with regard to his brothers, a new surprise arose during the hearing of April 18, 2023. Remy Masamba, one of Claudine Masamba’s brothers, claimed to have never been duly seized because he declared to reside in Belgium rather than in Kinshasa. Despite testimonies to the contrary, the situation lengthened the procedure and created new obstacles.
During the hearing on July 18, 2023, Alidor Masamba, one of the accused brothers, presented a notice of appeal from the Kinshasa/Matete Court of Appeal, questioning the regular referral of Remy Masamba by the court. This manoeuvre, which goes against the rules of procedure, transcribes the delaying maneuvers of which Claudine Masamba claims to be a victim.
The plaintiff is convinced that her brothers are using these maneuvers to prevent her from leaving joint ownership and holding her inheritance hostage. She claims that this hides ulterior motives and even suspects the existence of a dark hand orchestrating this situation in order to allow the sale of the assets of the Masamba estate for their sole benefit.
This scandal is deeply dishonorable for the Masamba family, whose reputation was however exemplary thanks to the achievements of the patriarch Simon Masamba Makela, founder of the “Masamba School” in Kinshasa since the 1970s.
This case is far from being resolved and suggests many twists and turns to come. The next hearings will be crucial to determine if Claudine Masamba will regain her heiress rights and if she will finally be able to get out of the joint ownership that keeps her trapped in this situation.