Africa-Press – Angola. The National Fuel Company of Angola (Sonangol-EP) and its subsidiary Sonangol Distribuição e Comercialização, SA were ordered by the Moçâmedes District Court to pay compensation to the heirs of Gaspar Gonçalo Madeira in the amount of US$16,233,039.00 and to restore to them possession of a plot of land located in the Saco Mar neighborhood, in the city of Namibe, where the oil company maintains its regional headquarters.
According to data held by Imparcial Press , the plot in question, measuring 360,742 square meters, has belonged to the Madeira family since 1957 and has been occupied by Sonangol since 1993, without any payment being made in return.
Initially, the company occupied just 130 square meters, an area that was expanded over the years until reaching its current size.
In July 2022, after negotiations with the heirs, Sonangol acknowledged its occupation of the land in writing and signed a Promissory Purchase and Sale Agreement, committing to pay US$45 per square meter. However, the agreement was not honored, leading the owners to seek legal action.
Faced with the oil company’s inaction, the court declared the heirs’ right to property, ordered the return of the land, and ordered Sonangol to pay financial compensation, in addition to 1 billion kwanzas for moral damages to one of the heirs, Ildeberto Alfredo Serra Madeira.
The oil company appealed the decision, but the appeal was declared abandoned due to failure to submit allegations within the legal deadline, which led to the case becoming final.
However, instead of complying with the final judgment, Sonangol faced a controversial episode. The judge who had presided over the case was removed and replaced by a newly appointed judge, Celestino Soares José, who reopened a precautionary measure that had been closed almost two years ago and declared the previous decision null and void.
The act was contested by the heirs, who claim they are facing legal maneuvers that prevent the execution of the judgment. Meanwhile, Sonangol remains silent, continuing to exploit private assets without paying the compensation set by the court.
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