Fight for lost millions rages on

Den Berg ropes in FIA in battle against FNBB

A bitter battle between Eric Van Den Berg and First National Bank Botswana took a new twist this week when the founder of the now defunct Petroleum Installation (PTY) Ltd, enlisted the help of Financial Intelligence Agency(FIA) to assist in tracing his P17 million that allegedly disappeared from his FNB account.

Den Berg said he arrived in Botswana in 1989 and in 1992 and set up a successful company that built filling stations across the country.

In a bizarre story that reads like a scene from a movie, Den Berg said the following years he bought a fleet of at least 24 cars through WesBank, a division of FNB that finances vehicle and property.

In his own words, he said he was a very rich man who could go into any dealership and drive out on a brand new car.

According to him it all came crushing down in 2007 when he landed in ICU following a heart attack and was in a coma for at least three months.

He claimed that it was during his comatose that the bank repossessed most of his cars and his employees and friends looted his company.

However all efforts by Van De Berg to reclaim his “lost millions” hit a snag as FNBB repeatedly said they found nothing untoward after doing their internal investigations.

In an earlier interview with FNBB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Stephen Bogatsu admitted he met Den Berg and his financial consultant in 2015.

“We did a thorough investigation and we found nothing untoward. However if he’s still unhappy and has fresh evidence he’s free to bring it. We’ll give him audience,” Bogatsu had said.

Convinced that he has fresh evidence Van Den Berg this week presented his case to FIA Botswana as he continues his battle against one of Africa’s biggest financial institutions.

FIA Director Dr Abraham Sethibe confirmed receiving the aggrieved Den Berg’s documents.

“We do have the letter. We’ll assess and advise accordingly,” Sethibe said in a brief interview with The Voice.