Cape Town - Sekunjalo Investments Limited on Tuesday announced the acquisition of 50.1% of software and services company Saratoga - adding further bulk to its ICT division, which is set for a separate listing in the second half of 2007.

The value of the deal was not disclosed, but Sekunjalo will settle the transaction in a staggered cash deal linked to profit warranties over the next three years.

Saratoga is active in the development of human resources, mobility and call center technology.

Sekunjalo deputy CEO Norman Noland said Saratoga would be placed alongside FIOS and Synergy Computing in the group's ICT stable. He said Saratoga would lend weight to the division's ability to sell comprehensive ICT business solutions as opposed to products.

"Collectively the operating businesses in our ICT division have a client base that covers the majority of SA's large corporates. We see significant upside in our ability to cross sell products and solutions into the combined client base."

Noland said this augured well for Sekunjalo's stated strategy of unlocking value at group level by separately listing the ICT division, Sekunjalo Informatics and Telecommunications Africa (Sitca) in the latter part of 2007 or early 2008.

"A Sitca IPO is still firmly on track, boosted by ongoing solid performances at our existing ICT companies, and strategic acquisitions..."