STAR AFRICA Corporation on revealed Thursday
that it had received a $5.6 million offer for its 33,3 percent in
Tongaat Hulett Botswana (THB).
StarAfrica Corporation company secretary Aldo Masemburi said the
offer was subject to the exercise of pre-emptive rights by the other
shareholders in Tongaat Hullet Botswana and the conclusion of legally
binding agreements with the prospective purchaser following the
discharge of right of pre-emption.
"A notice of intention to sell has been given to THB and a response
is expected on or before March 5 2014 as prescribed by the shareholders
Agreement. It is anticipated that the disposal will be completed and the
proceeds of the sale received by April 30 2014," said Masemburi.
Giving a market update on the company's operations, Musemburi said
although stiff competition continues from lower-priced imported sugar
they welcome the measures put in place by government to support the
local sugar industry through an improved import duty structure with a
view to stabilizing the local sugar market.
"This will increase the uptake of sugar from the upgraded plant by
industrial and direct consumption market segments. It is anticipated
that the company will start realizing these benefits in the first half
of the 2014/2015 financial year," Masemburi said.
Last year, Star Africa corporation shareholders have approved a
scheme of arrangement that entails a cocktail of measures meant to turn
around the group's fortunes.
Seventy-two percent of proxies who participated in the company's extraordinary general meeting last week endorsed the scheme.
Group chief executive Sam Mushiri said the scheme would become
operational once it has been approved by the High Court early next
month.
"We are on course. We are now going to gather on August 7, 2013 in the chamber and the scheme will be operational," he said.
While the scheme entails a number of strategies to turn around Star
Africa Corporation's fortunes, the main issue on the agenda at the EGM
was considering disposal of some assets to enable the firm to raise
funds to clear part of its debts.