Blackmail campaign targets PHC in the Democratic Republic of Congo

An individual, who presents himself as a journalist but is, in fact, a television host, has built a reputation for blackmail. He leverages his media platform and social networks to extort funds from prominent political figures and corporate leaders. Following a recent smear campaign against State Minister Guy Loando Mboyo and Minister José Mpanda Kabangu, involving a fabricated investigation that allegedly netted him 100,000 USD, he has now set his sights on Vice Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Lihau and is attempting to blackmail Minister Jean-Lucien Busa regarding the PHC (Plantations et Huileries du Congo) dossier, a matter widely considered transparent.

In his video broadcasts, this self-proclaimed journalist, who operates primarily as a TV host, directs his attacks at PHC, its leadership, shareholders, and several Congolese public personalities. His focus is the Congolese State’s voluntary divestment from its shareholding in Plantations et Huileries du Congo (PHC), a process that occurred during Jean-Lucien Busa’s tenure as Minister of Portfolio.

Initially misinformed by PHC’s detractors concerning this matter, Prime Minister Judith Suminwa had previously instructed the State Minister, Minister of Justice, to bring the case before the courts. Acting on behalf of the Congolese State, the Minister of Justice submitted the case to the commercial court, where it was registered under RRC 222. After due legal process, the court issued an order unequivocally affirming the validity and regularity of the Congolese State’s voluntary withdrawal from its equity in PHC.

However, unwilling to accept this definitive judicial ruling, PHC’s opponents, driven by envy and a strong desire to gain control over the company, reportedly enlisted the services of the aforementioned TV host and blackmailer. Their objective: to launch a sustained campaign of denigration against PHC and its executives. This arrangement was reportedly settled for 50,000 USD.

In a communiqué released on Monday, July 6, PHC strongly denounced the circulation of false information targeting the company. The statement reaffirmed PHC’s commitment to operating in strict adherence to the laws of the Democratic Republic of Congo, under the vigilant oversight of competent authorities, and in full compliance with all applicable governance standards.

PHC emphasized that any attempts to challenge the commercial court’s decision—a ruling resulting from a case initiated by the Congolese State itself—through unsubstantiated allegations, orchestrated disinformation campaigns, or slanderous remarks, will not succeed in undermining the integrity of this judicial outcome.

While steadfastly upholding its commitment to freedom of expression and press freedom, PHC also underscored that these fundamental liberties do not grant license for the dissemination of grave, defamatory, and false accusations that infringe upon the honor, reputation, and legitimate interests of the company, its leadership, shareholders, or any other affected party.

Plantations et Huileries du Congo, in its official document, explicitly stated its reservation of the right to initiate all appropriate legal proceedings against the primary perpetrators, co-perpetrators, or any individual found to be knowingly relaying defamatory statements or demonstrably false information, ensuring that all responsible parties are held accountable before the competent judicial bodies.