Romeo “Mkhulu Romeo” Malepe is planning to go the legal route with fast-food chain KFC over his allegedly stolen kota idea – Sunday World reports.
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MKHULU ROMEO NOT GIVING UP KFC KOTA FIGHT
Last month, the traditional healer took to social media to blast fast-food outlet for allegedly stealing his idea and calling its new bunny chow meal the KFC Sphatlo.
Mkhulu Romeo said he presented the idea to a KFC brand manager at its Yum offices in Bryanston in 2019 and says he was promised another meeting with the company’s top management. However, he said that the meeting did not happen.
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He has since told the outlet that after his thread on social media, a number of lawyers contacted him as they believe he has a case.
“They believe there is a case. We have been in meetings to pave the way forward and we will see how everything turns out in due course,” he said.
As such, Mkhulu Romeo is working with advocate Lucky Makaringe, who said: “We are still having meetings as we speak. We will advice on the way forward when the need arises.”
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FAST-FOOD FRANCHISE DENIES STEALING THE IDEA
Following Mkhulu Romeo’s allegations, popular brand’s spokesperson, Portia Mvubu, responded by denying that the idea was stolen.
“While we love South Africa’s passion for KFC, we can confirm that this product was not as a result of a concept presented to us by Romeo. For more than 50 years, KFC has been inspired by the South African heritage and culture and has regularly brought innovation like the Streetwise Chow, Masala Crunch and Mrs Ball’s Chutney burger to our menu.
She added: “It is no secret that the Sphatlho is a well-known South African meal and the limited edition Sphatlho is a result of an extensive product development process – aimed to be a KFC take on this South African classic.”
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