Blue Label Telecoms announced it has put in an offer to buy a 35% stake in Cell C for R4 billion.
The offer is part of a proposed recapitalisation of Cell C, which Blue Label said it plans to participate in with other investors.
After the deal is implemented, Cell C’s debt is to be reduced to a maximum of R8 billion.
A meeting of the board of directors of Cell C is being convened to consider the offer.
The Proposed Transaction is subject to, among other things:
- The execution of definitive transaction agreements typical for a transaction of this nature.
- The securing of funding by all parties to the Proposed Transaction.
- Cell C’s aggregate net borrowings being reduced to a maximum of R8 billion following the conclusion of the Proposed Transaction.
- The obtaining of all requisite regulatory approvals.
Management on behalf of the employees of Cell C has also submitted a binding offer to co-invest in the company with Cell C’s current shareholder 3C Telecommunications Proprietary Limited (3C Telecommunications) and Blue Label.
Cell C employees will then hold around 30% of the total issued share capital in Cell C at a cost of R2.5 billion at the conclusion of the restructuring programme.
If successful, the restructuring will result in 3C Telecommunications holding 35%, management and staff 30%, and Blue Label 35% of the ordinary shares in Cell C.
The expected date of the proposed transaction is 1 June 2016.
