ANC 'fixer' cold-called a Gupta for R6.3-million

02 June 2017 - 08:27 By SIPHE MACANDA
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Atul Gupta at his home in Saxonwold in Johannesburg. File photo
Atul Gupta at his home in Saxonwold in Johannesburg. File photo
Image: KEVIN SUTHERLAND

Police Minister Fikile Mbalula's former spindoctor, Anda Bici, asked the Gupta family for money, leaked e-mails show.

Bici, who is well known in ANC circles as a "fixer" specialising in communications, wrote to Atul Gupta in June 2014 asking for financial assistance for an ANC Youth League project costing about R6.3-million.

Bici confirmed the e-mail yesterday, but said that he had never had a relationship with the Guptas. He said he had been referred to the family by a third party.

"Yes, I did send the e-mail to the said address of a Gupta fellow, even though I have never seen any of them.

" The project never happened.

"It is a general phenomenon to ask for sponsorship of businessmen.

"I am delighted that he never responded," Bici said.

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He said his request was for a genuine cause, to write the ANC Youth League's story.

"[The request] was not self-serving," he said.

Bici's e-mail to Atul Gupta had attachments that gave the project's budget and logistical details.

He said the project was approved by an ANCYL national task team, and that the project would consist of a book and four documentaries on the history of the youth league.

"Dear Mr Gupta. The e-mail of this nature serves to submit a proposal to your good office and department for partnership and financial assistance," the e-mail read.

Bici said he was writing on behalf of three young activists who had come up with a concept to commemorate the heritage of the struggles of young people in this country.

"We would greatly appreciate to have a meeting to follow up and finalise this matter by the end of June at the latest as we plan to have a launch and have a manuscript of this project by September 2014 and complete the book and documentary at the beginning of 2015," the e-mail stated.

The concept document said the project would be part of the ANCYL 70th anniversary celebrations, which were in September 2014.

 

Confused? Here are the latest #GuptaEmail reveals:

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