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Nhleko faces fraud rap

OFFSIDE: Nkosinathi Nhleko, seen in his Chiefs days, is accused of defrauding parents of aspiring football stars Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
OFFSIDE: Nkosinathi Nhleko, seen in his Chiefs days, is accused of defrauding parents of aspiring football stars Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images

PARENTS of the boys Nkosinathi Nhleko allegedly defrauded of as much as R800000 have threatened legal action against the former Bafana Bafana forward.

Sowetan is in possession of proof of payments made by one of the parents, PR Ramsamy, to a First National Bank account under the name Nkosinathi Nhleko and Associates amounting to R42000.

Nhleko promised to send 20 aspiring footballers ranging in age from 16 to 18 to Sweden for 11-day trials at various third-tier teams, through an academy that Ramsamy said was bogus.

Nhleko's company was reportedly in partnership with the Kagisho Dikgacoi Foundation, founded by the Bafana and Cardiff City midfielder.

The trip never materialised after the parents of the 20 children paid R42000 into Nhleko's account. Ramsamy alleged he was only partly refunded. It has been alleged that Nhleko used the money to pay for the bond on his R2.5-million house in Alberton.

Ramsamy has sought legal advice and, along with another parent whose money was allegedly swindled by the former Kaizer Chiefs and Jomo Cosmos marksman, is planning to lay charges of fraud against Nhleko.

"He promised to take some boys to Sweden. He gave us a whole host of information of what the trip entailed and we had to pay R42000," Ramsamy said. "Two days after we filled in visa applications he came to me with some story saying some of the other boys' passports were fake, and therefore he had to cancel because his partners in Sweden needed 20 boys to attend.

"He said he would refund the money but nothing materialised for months except R4000 paid into my account, which was apparently an air fare refund. When I asked him to produce proof of the air ticket he could not do so. He hasn't answered any calls since. He's a blatant crook."

Football coach Fani Mthethwa, who coached some of the Nhleko's youngsters for a period, questioned the validity of the academy. He disassociated himself from the alleged scam.

"I never worked for him," Mthethwa said.

When contacted for comment Nhleko replied with a text message: "I'm currently in Europe. Returning 2nd November. I will only accept text messages and Whatsapp."

Dikgacoi could not be reached for comment.

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