Glencore just can't seem to shake off allegations of possible corruption in the Democratic Republic of Congo. With the US Department of Justice already investigating potential money laundering at its operations in the DRC, Nigeria and Venezuela, the Serious Fraud Office in the UK is now also probing the group. It has responded by saying it will cooperate with the investigation. The news sent its shares over 6 percent lower at their worst yesterday. There's better news for WG Wearne, the aggregates group whose shares were suspended over a year ago. It has sold its Muldersdrift Quarry to Consolidated Infrastructure Group for about six times its market capitalisation, which will go a long way in improving its liquidity constraints and reducing debt. Meanwhile, there a new man at the helm of ELB Group: Charles Pettit, the head of Apex Partners which has been amassing a stake in the company. Also in today's newsletter, all the latest from DealMakers. Finally, for many relatively wealthy South Africans the question has become not whether to invest offshore, but how. The need to diversify one's emerging market currency risks has become a burning one as South Africa's hoped-for political and economic recovery seems stuck in surreal slow motion. One of the asset classes many are looking at now is an investment in offshore real estate, which in some cases is made all the more attractive by the bonus of a 'Plan B' residency programme. Portugal's Golden Visa programme springs to mind here, in a country that has the additional advantages of a great climate, a well-run, business-friendly government, and one of Europe's top-performing property markets. Click here to find out more. I hope you have a good weekend. Stephen Gunnion Managing Editor, InceConnect
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