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Johannesburg - Cellphone network operator MTN may have shelved a black economic empowerment (BEE) deal because it struggled to find external funding on acceptable terms, an analyst said on Wednesday.
The group announced it has placed the transaction on hold because of challenging economic conditions.
"I would speculate that MTN was looking to fund the transaction externally and that the terms of the funding were unacceptable, not available or simply too expensive," said Cadiz African Harvest portfolio manager Rajay Ambekar.
"It may also be possible that should the PIC (Public Investment Corporation) sell its shares now, it would be selling them for less than they're worth."
In December, MTN and the PIC - government's investment arm and one of the largest investors in the JSE - entered into a memorandum of understanding that MTN would buy Newshelf 664 from the PIC.
Newshelf was reportedly formed by MTN staff independently of the company. Through loans from PIC and various other sources, it was able to buy MTN shares from Transnet. Newshelf holds an estimated 13.1% of MTN.
The PIC has agreed to buy Newshelf and it has in turn agreed to sell it to MTN for R24.4bn
Share capital in Newshelf was held through Alpine Trust for the benefit of eligible MTN staff and its subsidiaries, as well as eligible senior employees at MTN's African operations.
The plan was that MTN would use Newshelf as part of a new BEE transaction during the first half of 2009.
But on Wednesday, the group backtracked.
Although MTN is still likely to buy Newshelf from the PIC, implementation of the BEE scheme will only commence at "a more appropriate time".
"In the light of severe constraints in current financial markets, the board of directors of MTN has determined that it is not in the best interests of the company, its shareholders and the BEE investors to implement the proposed transaction during the first half of 2009 as originally planned," its statement read.
"I don't know what deals were struck between the companies, but I don't think there is any sinister reason behind placing the deal on hold," said Ambekar. "I'd wait until the end of 2009 before the deal goes through."
MTN did not want to provide further information on the proposed acquisition of Newshelf. "We cannot disclose anything beyond what was reported in the Stock Exchange News Service announcements," said MTN spokesperson Xolisa Vapi.
- Fin24. com