ANNOUNCEMENT
Exhibit 99.6
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On 7 March 2007, following a Search Warrant having been issued by the High Court of South Africa in accordance with the provisions of Section 29(5) of the National Prosecuting Authority Act, 32 of 1998, the Scorpions, an arm of the Directorate of Special Operations (“the DSO”), conducted a simultaneous raid at the premises of Randgold and Exploration Company Limited (“R&E”) and JCI Limited (“JCI”), among others. |
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The purpose of the raid was to seize documents and records which came into existence prior to the reconstitution of the Boards of R&E and JCI in August 2005 and which may be used as part of an investigation involving R&E and JCI that has been authorised by the DSO. |
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The suspected crimes and offences which are being investigated range from fraud and theft to reckless and / or fraudulent trading. |
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In substantiation of the Search Warrant issued, the DSO claim that “there are reasonable grounds to believe or suspect that there is evidence which has a bearing or might have a bearing on the suspected offences” to be found in or on the premises of JCI and R&E. |
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As a result of the Search Warrant and raid by the Scorpions, various documents and records were uplifted from the premises of R&E and JCI which are likely to be used in the investigation that has been authorised. |
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The documents and records that were uplifted, were removed with the full co-operation of R&E and JCI. Where original documentation and records were uplifted, they were uplifted on the understanding that should R&E and/or JCI require copies of the documents and records in due course they would be made available by the DSO on request. |
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT DISCLAIMER FOR R&E
Certain statements in this announcement, as well as oral statements that may be made by R&E’s officers, directors or employees acting on its behalf relating to such information, contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, specifically Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are "forward-looking statements”. These include, without limitation, those statements concerning the value of the net assets of R&E and JCI; the ability of the companies to successfully consummate a merger that is approved by the shareholders and is acceptable to the necessary governmental authorities; the fraud and misappropriation that are alleged to have occurred and the time periods affected thereby; the ability of R&E to recover any misappropriated assets and investments; the outcome of any proceedings on behalf of, or against R&E, including any proceedings that may be instituted by the Scorpions, the DSO or other governmental authorities or agencies; R&E's ability to complete its forensic investigation and prepare audited financial statements; the time period for completing its forensic investigation and audited financial statements; the amount of any claims R&E is or is not able to recover against others, including JCI, and the success of its mediation with JCI; the estimated valuations given to assets and liabilities in the NAV statement; and the ultimate impact on R&E's previously released financial statements and results, assets and investments, including with respect to Randgold Resources Limited, business, operations, economic performance, financial condition, outlook and trading markets. Although R&E believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to be correct, particularly in light of the extent of the alleged frauds and misappropriations uncovered to date. Actual results could differ materially from those implied by or set out in the forward-looking statements.
Among other factors, these include the inherent difficulties and uncertainties in ascertaining the values of the net assets of the companies, particularly in light of the absence of any independent valuations, the existence of any unknown liabilities, the willingness of any governmental authority to sanction any merger in light of the absence of independent valuations or otherwise; the extent, magnitude and scope of any fraud and misappropriation that may be ultimately determined to have occurred and the time periods and facts related thereto following the completion of the forensic investigation and any other investigations that may be commenced and the ultimate outcome of such forensic investigation; the ability of R&E to successfully assert any claims it may have against other parties for fraud or misappropriation of R&E assets or otherwise and the
solvency of any such parties, including JCI; the determinations of the mediators and acceptance of any such determinations by the shareholders of R&E and JCI; the ability of R&E to defend successfully any counterclaims or proceedings against it, including any proceedings that may be instituted by the Scorpions, the DSO or other governmental authorities or agencies; the ability of R&E and its forensic investigators to obtain the necessary information with respect to R&E's transactions, assets, investments, subsidiaries and associated entities to complete the forensic investigation and prepare audited financial statements; the willingness and ability of R&E’s forensic investigators and auditors to issue any final opinions with respect thereto; the ability of R&E to implement improved systems and to correct its late reporting; the JSE Limited's willingness to lift its suspension of the trading of R&E's securities on that exchange; changes in economic and market conditions; fluctuations in commodity prices and exchange rates; the success of any business and operating initiatives, including any mining rights; changes in the regulatory environment and other government actions; business and operational risk management; other matters not yet known to R&E or not currently considered material by R&E; and the risks identified in Item 3 of R&E's most recent annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC and its other filings and submissions with the SEC.
All forward-looking statements attributable to R&E, or persons acting on its behalf, are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. R&E expressly disclaims any obligation to release publicly any update or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any changes in expectations, or any change in events or circumstances on which those statements are based, unless otherwise required by law.
