Sindika Dokolo, the husband of Africa’s richest woman, Isabel dos Santos, has died at the age of 48.
Mr Dokolo’s family confirmed that he had died in Dubai on Thursday with friends saying he was involved in a scuba diving accident.
In a statement his family said “his wife, children, mother, brother and sisters have the deepest sorrow and immense sadness to announce the passing of Sindika Dokolo, which occurred on October 29, 2020 in Dubai.
We thank all who have expressed their sympathy and kindness and who share our grief.”
Dos Santos and her husband Dokolo have been under investigation by the Angolan authorities for allegedly diverting more than $1bn of state funds.
The couple have always denied wrongdoing, but has done very little to stop the investigations.
Mr Dokolo was born in Kinshasa and raised in Belgium and France.
He was a prolific art collector, amassing thousands of contemporary African works.
His wife Dos Santos is the daughter of the former president of Angola, José Eduardo dos Santos.
