Try our mobile app

Update on the acquisition of a 30% interest in Maziv (Vumatel and Dark Fibre Africa)

Published: 2023-11-28 16:30:32 ET
<<<  go to JSE:VOD company page
             Vodacom Group Limited
             (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
             (Registration number 1993/005461/06)
             Share code VOD        ISIN ZAE000132577
             ADR code VDMCY ISIN US9258D2009
             (“Vodacom Group”)

             UPDATE ON THE ACQUISITION OF A 30% INTEREST IN MAZIV (VUMATEL AND DARK
             FIBRE AFRICA) THROUGH A CASH INVESTMENT AND CONTRIBUTION OF CERTAIN
             VODACOM GROUP ASSETS INTO MAZIV

             Shareholders are referred to the announcements released on SENS on 10 November 2021,
             15 May 2023 and 8 August 2023, setting out details of Vodacom Group’s proposed acquisition
             of a co-controlling interest in all of the material assets owned by Community Investment
             Ventures Holdings (Pty) Limited (“CIVH”), including Vumatel (Pty) Limited and Dark Fibre
             Africa (Pty) Limited (the “transaction”). On completion of the transaction, Vodacom Group will
             hold a 30% equity interest in a newly formed entity (“InfraCo” renamed Maziv Proprietary
             Limited (“Maziv”) that will house these assets, as well as certain fibre assets which Vodacom
             Group will contribute into Maziv. Vodacom Group also has an option to acquire an additional
             10% stake in Maziv to increase its shareholding in Maziv to 40% (the “option”).

             The transaction remains subject to the approval of the South African competition authorities.
             Conditional approval has also been granted by the Independent Communications Authority of
             South Africa.

             As indicated in the announcement dated 8 August 2023, the Competition Commission
             recommended to the Competition Tribunal to prohibit the transaction. The transaction, which
             was classified by Vodacom Group as a Category 2 transaction in terms of the JSE Listings
             Requirements, is scheduled to be heard by the Competition Tribunal mid-2024 and the
             subsequent ruling will be provided within a period to be determined by the Competition
             Tribunal.

             Consequently, shareholders are advised that the transacting parties have agreed to extend
             the longstop date of the transaction to 29 November 2024. Further to this, the option is
             exercisable by Vodacom Group within 6 weeks of fulfilment of the last Conditions Precedent.

             No amendments have been made to the mechanism to determine the valuation of Maziv as
             contained in the SENS announcement dated 15 May 2023.

             Shareholders are also referred to the Remgro announcement published on SENS today.

             Midrand
             28 November 2023

             Sponsor: Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking, a division of Nedbank Limited




C2 General