COMPETITION TRIBUNAL OF SOUTH AFRICA
Case No: 93/LM/Aug08
In the matter between:
Pareto Limited Acquiring Firm
And
B&B Eindomme (Pty) Ltd Target Firm
Panel : D Lewis (Presiding Member), N Manoim (Tribunal Member),
and Y Carrim (Tribunal Member)
Heard on : 8 October 2008
Order Issued : 8 October 2008
Reasons Issued: 3 December 2008
Reasons for Decision
Approval
[1] On 8 October 2008, the Tribunal unconditionally approved the merger between
Pareto Limited and CIE B&B Eindomme (Pty) Ltd. The reasons for approving
the transaction follow.
The parties
[2] The primary acquiring firm is Pareto Limited (“Pareto”), a company incorporated
under the company laws of South Africa. Pareto is controlled by the Eskom
Pension & Provident Fund (“EPPF”). EPPF is controlled 60% by the Board of
Trustees1 and 40% by the Public Investment Corporation (“PIC”). The parties
submitted that PIC does not control Pareto.2 Pareto does not control any firm.
[3] The primary target firm is B&B Eindomme (“Pty) Ltd (“B&B”). B&B is a wholly
owned subsidiary of Mimosa Rolprentproduksie (Pty) Ltd (“Mimosa
1 The Board of Trustees consist of Mr XK Memani, Mr MN Bailey, Mr B Blignaut, Mr WE
Green, Mr A Jeawon, Mr GJ Kruger, Mr D Macatha, Ms JM Maisela, Mr TJ Matsau, Ms EM
Pule, Mr WJ Swart, Mr MAP Tseki, Adv. NK Tsholanku and Dr EZ Xaba.2 See record page 70.
Rolprentproduksie”), which is controlled by Boet Troksie Kinders Trust
(“BTKT”). B&B does not control any firm.
Description of the transaction
[4] In terms of this transaction, Pareto intends to acquire from B&B a retail property
known as “Mimosa Mall”, which is a shopping mall with grade P office space
situated in Bloemfontein. At the conclusion of this transaction, Pareto will have
sole control over Mimosa Mall.
Rationale for the transaction
[5] The acquiring firm views this transaction as an opportunity to acquire a regional
shopping centre in Bloemfontein.
[6] The target firm has submitted that it has decided to dispose of the Mall as it is
unable to obtain municipal approval to extend the Mall.
The parties’ activities
Primary acquiring firm
Pareto
[7] Pareto owns retail shopping centres with offices in Roodepoort, Sandton City,
Monder, Northcliff, Durban and Cape Town. Their retail properties comprise 6
super regional shopping centres and one community centre.
EPPF
[8] EPPF is a benefit fund with defined employer and employee contributions,
providing retirement, withdrawal, death, and disability benefits to members,
pensioners and dependants.
The primary target firm
[9] Mimosa Mall is a regional shopping centre with grade P office space situated in
Bloemfontein.
Competition analysis
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[10] There is no geographic overlap in the activities of the merging firms, as the
acquiring firm does not have properties in Bloemfontein where the Mimosa
Mall, the target property, is situated. The proposed transaction is therefore
unlikely to substantially prevent or lessen competition in any market.
Public Interest
[11] There are no public interest issues.
Conclusion
[12] The merger is approved unconditionally.
________________ 3 December 2008
D Lewis DATE
Tribunal Member
N Manoim and Y Carrim concurring.
Tribunal Researcher : R Kariga
For the merging parties: Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Attorneys
For the Commission : M Matsimela (Mergers and Acquisitions)
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