Mail & Guardian Reporters
FRANOIS PIENAAR’S agent, Zimbabwean businessman John Bredenkamp, has dismissed as “lies” the allegations that he was a top arms dealer.
Bredenkamp said the Mail & Guardian in its article last week had repeated “lies” aired by Britain’s Channel 4, which broadcast a programme two years ago claiming he had conducted a massive arms dealing business through his tobacco company Casalee.
Bredenkamp – who became involved in sports management two years ago when he set up Masters International – said Channel 4 had paid the Dispatches programme’s main source 60000 to talk.
The television company rejected the allegation, saying it paid sources a nominal interview fee of 50.
“We are not in the business of paying for stories,” said spokesman Martin Sprott.
“If Bredenkamp has evidence two years on, let’s see it.”
Bredenkamp said he was wrapping up his investigations. He said that apart from a minor arms deal for Ian Smith’s government, he had never been involved in the trade.
He also denied that champion golfer Nick Price had ditched him, saying he had encouraged Price to go it alone.
Bredenkamp, who lives outside London, said that former Armscor boss “Kotie” Coetzee did not work for Masters International. He said he had not spoken to Coetzee for seven years.
Further investigations reveal Coetzee has left the company but was apparently working there at its inception in 1994. One of Bredenkamp’s current employees is Jules Pelissier, formerly of the Rhodesian Special Branch.
Masters International has handled a string of top international sportsmen, including South African golfer Ernie Els and Soviet chess master Garry Kasparov. Bredenkamp secured Pienaar’s transfer to British rugby club Saracens.