Ex-Mbalula spin doctor requested R6m project funding

POLICE Minister Fikile Mbalula’s former spin doctor, Anda Bici, approached the Gupta family asking for funding‚ the leaked Gupta e-mails show.

Bici‚ known in ANC circles as a “fixer” in communication‚ wrote to Atul Gupta in June 2014 requesting financial assistance for an ANC Youth League project that would cost about R6.3-million.

Bici confirmed the e-mail yesterday, but said he had never had any relationship with the Guptas. He had been referred to them “by someone”.

“Yes‚ I did send the e-mail to the address of a Gupta fellow even though I have never seen any of them,” he said. “The project never happened. “It is [common] to ask for sponsorship of businessmen and women.

“I am delighted that he never responded nor helped though‚” Bici said.

He said his request was for a genuine cause to write the youth league’s story.

“[The request] was not self-serving.”

With the e-mail‚ Bici sent attachments providing Atul Gupta with the project’s budget and logistical details.

He said the project was approved by the then ANCYL national task team‚ and would comprise a book and four documentaries on the league’s history.

It read: “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.”

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

It read further: “We would greatly appreciate to have a meeting to follow up and finalise this matter by the end of June.

“We plan to have a launch and have a manuscript of this project by September 2014 and complete book and documentary at the beginning of 2015.”

The project’s concept document said the project would be part of the ANCYL’s 70th anniversary in September 2014.