I can't really answer if any 35(t)s were in Africa without looking at my refs. However, I do recall the challenge of buiding the CMK platform. A lot of TLC was required, and patience, but nothing that can't be done.
Here is my tread of a conversion for Artillerie Schlepper I made using a CMK TACAM. If Tamiya used the same platform, it will give you an idea of what lays ahead...
http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/3/t/107327.aspx?sort=ASC&pi240=1
Still got to slap some paint on this one.... where did all this time go??? lol
Hope it helps!!!