Johannesburg - Cell C plans to raise as much as R6bn from the sale of two bonds as part of its recapitalisation that will enable Blue Label Telecoms to buy a stake, according to two people familiar with the matter.

The country’s third-largest wireless carrier will sell R2.2bn of three-year senior secured bonds and R3.6bn of five-year securities, according to the people, who asked not to be identified as the plans aren’t public. Both notes will pay a coupon of 8.62%, according to the people.

Cell C spokespeople didn’t immediately respond to emails requesting comment.

The bonds will be used to repay Cell C’s existing €400m (R6bn) debt due to mature in July 2018, the people said.

That will enable Dubai-based parent company Oger Telecom, which is owed most of the outstanding debt through affiliates, to exit the company and ease the completion of the reorganisation that will see Johannesburg-based Blue Label take a stake, according to the people.

The planned bond issues are expected to help the wireless carrier complete the transaction with Blue Label almost two years after talks began.

The agreement to sell a 45% stake for R5.5bn will initially reduce Cell C’s debt by 73% without having to re-apply for an operating licence, people familiar with the matter said last month.