Attempts by controversial British national Frederick Kevin Borde-Kuofie who donated R30-million worth of election campaign regalia to the ANC to meet with Deputy President Paul Mashatile were rebuffed by the country’s number two’s inner circle.
Sunday World has learnt from reliable sources that Borde-Kuofie wanted to lobby Mashatile to open doors for him in the country to set up shop and get a banking licence.
Those who were doing his bidding, mainly the CEO of the National Cooperatives Association of SA (NCASA), Botswana national Bongani Letshabo, confirmed that they have made advances to Mashatile’s team on behalf of Borde-Kuofie.
Mashatile’s ex-girlfriend Norma Mbatha, who confirms to have been central in the distribution of the ANC regalia purchased by the Brit from a warehouse in Johannesburg, claims to have been introduced to Borde-Kuofie by Letshabo.
This is while Mashatile’s adviser and acting spokesperson Keith Khoza also confirmed to have been approached by Letshabo to arrange a meeting with Mashatile.
Mbatha said Letshabo and his associates, including NCASA president Zacharia Matsela had tried to get her to get Borde-Kuofie an audience, with Mashatile but she told them off.
“These people brought chaos in a very short space of time.”
Letshabo and company then allegedly made attempts to infiltrate Mashatile’s inner circle including his Khoza.
Khoza confirmed knowing Letshabo and that he had -lobbied for a meeting between Borde-Kuofie and the deputy president.
“I know they wanted a meeting with DP (Mashatile), and I did not facilitate that thing because it involved someone I do not want anything to do with because they use every opportunity to drag my name negatively,” said Khoza.
Border-Kuofie, who has been dodging enquiries from Sunday World, has been outed as a dodgy operator who thought his sponsoring of the ANC would lay the foundation for his business ambitions.
But after his grand plan failed, he seems to have made off, leaving behind a hefty R30-million debt with Petro Gulf, the company that printed more than 400 000 ANC T-shirts, doeks and beanies at his request.
None of Borde-Kuofie’s associates in the country can account for his whereabouts after he allegedly stayed at the posh Hilton Hotel in Sandton , Joburg, for close to two years.
The Brit also led to several fallouts among locals.
Mbatha, because of Borde-Kuofie, fell out with former MD of her Izwi Labantu NGO, Dloze Matooane, whom she blames for bringing “all the chaos” that came with the British national.
She is suing Borde-Kuofie for more than R600 000 and has opened a fraud case against him.
The owner of Petro Gulf confirmed that Borde-Kuofie has not paid a cent, despite his commitment to pay up.
