Merger Alert: Outcome of mergers decided by the Tribunal - 28 November 2024
The following Merger Alert is for information purposes only and is not binding on the Competition Tribunal or any member of the Tribunal
| Type of matter | Parties involved | Tribunal Decision |
| Large merger | Newco (Pty) Ltd and Molware, Urban Ridge East, Urban Ridge South and Urban Ridge West | Approved without conditions |
| Large merger | Grindrod Mauritius and Terminal De Carvao Da Matola Limitada | Approved without conditions |
| Large merger | FPG Holdings (Pty) Ltd and Shoprite Checkers (Pty) Ltd in respect of the immovable property known as Sandown Retail Crossing | Approved without conditions |
Newco (Pty) Ltd and Molware, Urban Ridge East, Urban Ridge South and Urban Ridge West
The Competition Tribunal (“Tribunal”) has unconditionally approved the proposed merger whereby Newco (Pty) Ltd (“Newco”) intends to acquire four residential properties known as Molware, Urban Ridge East, Urban Ridge South and Urban Ridge West (the “target properties”) and the letting enterprise carried out thereon, from Emira Property Fund Ltd.
Newco is a special purpose vehicle which is being incorporated for purposes of the proposed transaction. It will ultimately be controlled by Old Mutual Ltd which, through its various subsidiaries, is involved in a number of industries including property holding, asset management, life insurance, banking and investment products and short-term insurance. Old Mutual Ltd’s property holding activities are of relevance to the proposed transaction.
The target properties are four sectional title complexes, all of which fall within the affordable housing segment. The properties are located in Gauteng.
Grindrod Mauritius and Terminal De Carvao Da Matola Limitada
The Tribunal has unconditionally approved the proposed merger whereby Grindrod Mauritius intends to increase its shareholding in Terminal De Carvao Da Matola Limitada (“TCM”). The proposed transaction will result in a change of control from joint to sole control post-merger. Accordingly, Grindrod Mauritius will acquire the remaining equity interest in TCM from Vitol Mauritius Ltd.
Grindrod Mauritius, a firm incorporated under the laws of Mauritius, is ultimately controlled by Grindrod Ltd (“Grindrod”). Grindrod is primarily active in the market for the provision of freight and logistics services. In this regard, the acquiring group sells products and renders services through two main segments, namely: (i) ports and terminals; and (ii) logistics.
TCM, a firm incorporated under the laws of Mozambique, operates a dry-bulk terminal in the port of Matola (Mozambique) capable of handling high volumes of magnetite and coal. The port of Matola is a gateway to South Africa and other regional countries including Botswana, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.
FPG Holdings (Pty) Ltd and Shoprite Checkers (Pty) Ltd
in respect of the immovable property known as Sandown Retail Crossing
The Tribunal has unconditionally approved the proposed merger whereby FPG Holdings (Pty) Ltd ("FPG Holdings") intends to acquire the immovable property known as the Sandown Retail Crossing (the “target property”) from Shoprite Checkers (Pty) Ltd.
The acquiring group (FPG Holdings, FPG Investments, FPG Property Fund and all the firms controlled by those firms) has a significant national property portfolio which includes light industrial, office, retail and residential property developments and property letting enterprises. The acquiring group’s retail property activities in the Western Cape (including local convenience centres, minor regional centres, value centres and neighbourhood centres) are of relevance to this transaction.
The target property is situated at the corner of Sandown Road and Wood Drive, in Milnerton, in the Western Cape.
Issued by:
Gillian de Gouveia, Communications Manager
On behalf of the Competition Tribunal of South Africa
Cell: +27 (0) 82 410 1195
E-Mail: GillianD@comptrib.co.za
Twitter: @comptrib
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