UMBRELLA AGREEMENT between SAPEF III INTERNATIONAL G.P. LIMITED THE TRUSTEES OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN PRIVATE EQUITY TRUST III (Represented by Brait Capital Partners Trustees (Proprietary) Limited in its capacity as trustee) NET1 UEPS TECHNOLOGIES, INC....
Exhibit 2.8
between
SAPEF III INTERNATIONAL G.P. LIMITED
THE TRUSTEES OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN PRIVATE EQUITY TRUST III
(Represented by Brait Capital Partners Trustees (Proprietary) Limited in its capacity as trustee)
NET1 UEPS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
THE TRUSTEES OF THE NEW APLITEC PARTICIPATION TRUST
And
NEWSHELF 713 (PROPRIETARY) LIMITED
CONTENTS
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1. | INTERPRETATION In this agreement - |
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1.1 | clause headings are for
convenience purposes only and shall not be used in its interpretation; |
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1.2 | unless the context clearly
indicates a contrary intention - |
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1.2.1 | an expression which denotes
any gender includes the other genders, a natural person includes an artificial
person and vice versa and the singular includes the plural and vice versa; |
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1.2.2 | where any term is defined
within a particular clause, other than the interpretation clause, that
term shall bear the meaning ascribed to it in that clause wherever it
is used in this agreement; |
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1.2.3 | the following expressions
shall bear the following meanings and related expressions shall bear corresponding
meanings - |
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1.2.3.1 | “A Class Loan Account” means a loan account
owing by New Aplitec to Holdings, having the rights set forth in Schedule
1; |
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1.2.3.2 | “Acquisition Agreement” means the agreement
in terms of which New Aplitec will acquire all the assets and liabilities
of the Aplitec Group, excluding cash in the sum of R300 000 000 and additional
cash sufficient to result in the distribution of an extra 25 cents (after
payment of any STC thereon) per Aplitec share to Aplitec shareholders
who elect the Cash Option and the shares in Country On A Card (Proprietary)
Limited, Net1 Loyalty (Proprietary) Limited and Net1 Payroll (Proprietary)
Limited; |
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1.2.3.3 | “Aplitec” means Net1 Applied Technology
Holdings Limited, Registration Number 1997/007207/06, a public company
duly incorporated according to the company laws of the RSA; |
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1.2.3.4 | “Aplitec Group” means Aplitec and all its
subsidiaries; |
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1.2.3.5 | “Aplitec Shareholder” means a holder of
Aplitec shares; |
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1.2.3.6 | “Aplitec Shares” means ordinary shares
of 0,1 cent each in the issued share capital of Aplitec; |
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1.2.3.7 | “B Class Loan Account” means a loan account
owing by New Aplitec to SA Trust, having the rights set forth in Schedule
2; |
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1.2.3.8 | “B Class Preference Shares” means B class
preference shares in the share capital of New Aplitec, having the rights
set forth in Schedule 3; |
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1.2.3.9 | “Brait Consortium” means funds under the
management of Xxxxx X.X., Southern Cross Capital Limited and FF&P
Asset Management Limited; |
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1.2.3.10 | “Cash Option” means the cash option referred
to in 2.3.1; |
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1.2.3.11 | “Common Shares” means common shares in
Holdings, having the rights of ordinary shares; |
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1.2.3.12 | “Condition” means the suspensive condition
set out in 3; |
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1.2.3.13 | “Distribution Ratio” means the ratio in
which the Special Convertible Preference Shares shall be distributed on
the occurrence of a Trigger Event, which at the Closing Date, shall be
0,814285714 Special Convertible Preference Shares for every one B Class
Preference Share. If after the Closing Date Holdings consolidates or sub-divides
the Common Shares, the Special Convertible Preference Shares shall be
consolidated or sub-divided in the same proportions, and the Distribution
Ratio shall be adjusted accordingly; |
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1.2.3.14 | “Effective Date” means the first business
day after fulfilment of the Condition; |
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1.2.3.15 | “Enforcer” means SAPE International GP
Limited, a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, which is the enforcer
of Holdings Trust; |
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1.2.3.16 | “Holdings” means Net1 UEPS Technologies,
Inc., IRS Employer |
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Number 00-0000000, a company incorporated in Florida
in the United States of America; |
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1.2.3.17 | “Holdings Trust” means the Aplitec Holdings
Participation Trust, a trust to be established in the Cayman Islands;
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1.2.3.18 | “New Aplitec” means Newshelf 713 (Proprietary)
Limited, Registration Number 2002/031446/07, to be renamed “Net1
Applied Technologies South Africa (Proprietary) Limited” or a similar
name, a private company duly incorporated according to the company laws
of the RSA; |
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1.2.3.19 | “prime rate” means the variable rate of
interest calculated and charged from time to time by Nedbank Limited to
its most favoured corporate customers in respect of overdraft facilities,
compounded monthly in arrears, as certified by any manager or director
of such bank, whose appointment need not be proved and whose certificate
shall be final and binding on the parties; |
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1.2.3.20 | “Reinvestment Option” means the reinvestment
option referred to in 2.3.2; |
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1.2.3.21 | “Reinvesting Shareholder” means an Aplitec
Shareholder who exercises the Reinvestment Option or Aplitec or SAPET
III, as the case may be; |
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1.2.3.22 | “RSA” means the Republic of South Africa;
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1.2.3.23 | “SA Trust” means the New Aplitec Participation
Trust, a bewind trust established in the RSA; |
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1.2.3.24 | “SAPET III” means the South African Private
Equity Trust III, Master’s Reference Number IT 9960/1998, represented
herein by its corporate trustee, Brait Capital Partners Trustees (Proprietary)
Limited, Registration Number 1998/010776/07, a private company incorporated
in the RSA; |
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1.2.3.25 | “Signature Date” means the date upon which
this agreement has been signed by all the parties; |
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1.2.3.26 | “Special Convertible
Preference Shares” means Special Convertible Preference Shares in
the issued share capital of Holdings, having the rights set forth in Schedule
4; |
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1.2.3.27 | “Trigger Event”
means: |
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1.2.3.27.1 | a Unit Holder notifies the trustees of SA Trust in
writing that he wishes SA Trust to dispose of the B Class Preference Shares
and B Class Loan Accounts attributable to some or all of his Units; or
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1.2.3.27.2 | New Aplitec is wound-up or placed under judicial
management, whether provisionally or finally; or |
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1.2.3.27.3 | Holdings is wound up or placed under judicial management,
whether provisionally or finally; or |
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1.2.3.27.4 | South African Exchange Controls are relaxed or abolished,
permitting Unit Holders to hold the Common Shares directly; |
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1.2.3.28 | “Units” means
units issued by SA Trust, comprising a capital contribution of 183,996
cents and a loan account of 101,004 cents; |
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1.2.3.29 | “Unit Holders”
means holders of Units in SA Trust; |
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1.3 | should any provision in
a definition be a substantive provision conferring rights or imposing
obligations on any party, then effect shall be given to that provision
as if it were a substantive provision in the body of this agreement; |
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1.4 | any reference to an enactment,
regulation, rule or by-law is to that enactment, regulation, rule or by-law
as at the signature date, and as amended or replaced from time to time;
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1.5 | when any number of days
is prescribed, such number shall exclude the first and include the last
day, unless the last day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday
in the RSA, in which case the last day shall be the next succeeding day
which is not a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday; |
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1.6 | any schedule or annexure
to this agreement shall form part of this agreement; |
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1.7 | the use of the word “including”
followed by a specific example/s shall not be construed as limiting the
meaning of the general wording preceding it and the eiusdem generis
rule shall not be applied in the interpretation of such general wording
or such specific example/s; |
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1.8 | the expiration or termination of this
agreement shall not affect those provisions of this agreement which expressly
provide that they will operate after any such expiration or termination
or which of necessity must continue to have effect after such expiration
or termination, notwithstanding the fact that the clauses themselves do
not expressly provide this; |
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1.9 | in its interpretation, the contra
proferentem rule of construction shall not apply (this agreement being
the product of negotiations between the parties) nor shall this agreement
be construed in favour of or against any party by reason of the extent
to which any party or its professional advisors participated in the preparation
of this agreement; and |
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1.10 | recordals shall be binding on the parties
and are not merely for information purposes. |
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2. | INTRODUCTION | |
2.1 | In terms of the Acquisition Agreement,
New Aplitec will acquire all the assets and liabilities of Aplitec, excluding
R 300 million in cash plus an additional 25 cents per Aplitec share for
those Aplitec shareholders who elect the Cash Option and certain dormant
subsidiaries. |
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2.2 | Pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement,
it is intended that Aplitec will be voluntarily wound up and that the
Aplitec Shareholders will receive the consideration payable by New Aplitec
for Aplitec’s assets and liabilities in the form of the advance distribution
of a liquidation dividend. |
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2.3 | The Aplitec Shareholders will be entitled
to receive the advance distribution, of 475 cents per Aplitec Share plus
an additional 25 cents per Aplitec share for those Aplitec shareholders
who elect the Cash Option, in whole or in part at their election as follows:
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2.3.1 | The Cash Option 500 cents in cash in respect of each Aplitec Share; and/or |
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2.3.2 | The Reinvestment Option In respect of each Aplitec Share, an amount of 190 cents in cash and the balance in the form of a reinvestment in New Aplitec via SA Trust, comprising one B Class Preference Share to the value of 183,996 cents and one B Class Loan Account of 101,004 cents by way of nil paid renounceable letters of allocation issued by New Aplitec, which will be deemed to have been renounced by the Aplitec Shareholders in favour of SA Trust. In addition, SA Trust, for the benefit of the relevant Aplitec shareholders, will be granted the right by Holdings Trust to receive Special Convertible Preference Shares in the Distribution Ratio in due course on the occurrence of a Trigger Event. The Reinvestment Option has been fixed at an exchange rate of R7,00 to US$1, which is the exchange rate used to determine the number of Special Convertible Preference Shares to be issued to Holdings Trust. |
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2.4 | Those Aplitec Shareholders
who choose to receive the consideration payable to them in whole or in
part by way of the Reinvestment Option shall subscribe for and shall be
issued with one Unit credited as fully paid up for each Aplitec Share
in respect of which they exercise the Reinvestment Option. |
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2.5 | In turn, SA Trust shall
be issued with one B Class Preference Share to the value of 183,996 cents
and be credited with a B Class Loan Account in the sum of 101,004 cents,
both credited as fully paid, for each Aplitec Share in respect of which
the Reinvestment Option is exercised. The B Class Preference Shares and
the B Class Loan Accounts are linked and may not be disposed of separately
and may not be disposed of other than by way of cession to Holdings on
the occurrence of a Trigger Event. |
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2.6 | It is intended that the
interest of the Unit Holders in the Units shall mirror in all respects
the interest of SA Trust in the B Class Preference Shares and the B Class
Loan Accounts on a one for one basis. |
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2.7 | SAPET III (together with South African Private Equity Fund III L.P.) will underwrite |
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the reinvestment option. Thus, if the reinvestment
option is not fully subscribed, SAPET III (and South African Private Equity
Fund III L.P.) shall take up those Units not taken up by the Aplitec shareholders
and shall become a Unit Holder. |
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2.8 | If the Aplitec shareholders fail to pass the necessary
resolutions for the voluntary winding-up of Aplitec or if Aplitec is not
placed in voluntary liquidation for any other reason, Aplitec through
SA Trust shall subscribe for the B Class Preference Shares and extend
the B Class Loan Account and shall become a Unit Holder. |
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2.9 | This agreement shall regulate relations between Holdings,
the Enforcer in its capacity as enforcer of Holdings Trust, New Aplitec
and SA Trust. |
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3. | SUSPENSIVE CONDITION | |
3.1 | This entire agreement is subject to the fulfilment
of the suspensive condition that the Acquisition Agreement becomes unconditional
by not later than 31 May 2004. |
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3.2 | The condition has been inserted for the benefit of
all the parties. |
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3.3 | By written agreement, the parties may extend the
date for fulfilment of the Condition. Each party shall use its best endeavours
to procure the fulfilment of the Condition as soon as reasonably possible
after the Signature Date. |
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3.4 | If the Condition is not fulfilled, this agreement
shall never become of any force or effect and no party shall have any
claim against any other party for anything done hereunder or arising herefrom,
save as a result of a breach of the provisions of 3.3, and the parties
shall be restored to the status quo ante. |
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4. | UNDERTAKINGS BY HOLDINGS | |
4.1 | Holdings undertakes in favour of New Aplitec that
save with the prior written consent of New Aplitec, it shall not conduct
any business in the RSA, Botswana, Namibia and Swaziland except through
New Aplitec or a subsidiary of New Aplitec. |
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4.2 | Holdings undertakes in favour of New Aplitec that
save with the prior written consent of New Aplitec, Holdings shall not
issue any new Common Shares between the Signature Date and the Closing
Date, save as contemplated in the Acquisition |
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Agreement and the Stock Purchase Agreement to be concluded between the Brait Consortium and Holdings. | ||
5. | DISPOSAL OF SHARES BY SAPET TO HOLDINGS | |
5.1 | It is recorded that at the Signature Date, SAPET
holds the entire issued share capital of New Aplitec, comprising 100 ordinary
shares (which will in due course be sub-divided by one thousand and designated
as “A class ordinary shares”). SAPET shall continue to hold
the said shares until the Acquisition Agreement is implemented. |
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5.2 | As soon as practicable after the Effective Date,
SAPET shall transfer to Holdings all the shares held by it in New Aplitec
in consideration for payment of the par value thereof and undertakes promptly
to do all things and sign all documents necessary to implement such transfer.
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6. | VOTING AT GENERAL MEETINGS OF NEW APLITEC | |
6.1 | The Units held by a Unit Holder shall confer upon
him the right to exercise one vote in respect of each B class Preference
Share held on his behalf by SA Trust. |
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6.2 | When New Aplitec convenes a general meeting of its
shareholders, it shall give notice to SA Trust in its capacity as the
holder of the B Class Preference Shares. |
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6.3 | SA Trust shall forthwith inform the Unit Holders
of the meeting and the reasons therefor and distribute to them copies
of the circular and/or notices and forms of proxy at their addresses recorded
in the register of Unit Holders maintained by the trustees of SA Trust.
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6.4 | Those Unit Holders who wish to vote the B Class Preference
Shares attributable to their Units shall complete the proxy forms and
forward them to the trustees of SA Trust. |
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6.5 | The trustees of SA Trust will in turn lodge proxies
with New Aplitec in respect of the meeting, directing the chairman of
the meeting to vote the B Class Preference Shares held by SA Trust on
behalf of the Unit Holders in accordance with the wishes expressed by
the Unit Holders. |
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6.6 | This procedure will be followed in respect of every
meeting of shareholders of New Aplitec from time to time. |
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7. | VOTING AT GENERAL MEETINGS OF HOLDINGS | |
7.1 | The Units held by a Unit Holder shall confer upon
him the right to exercise one vote in respect of each Special Convertible
Preference Share held on his behalf by Holdings Trust. |
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7.2 | When Holdings convenes a meeting of its shareholders,
it shall give notice to the Enforcer in its capacity as enforcer of Holdings
Trust. |
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7.3 | The Enforcer shall forthwith notify SA Trust of the
meeting and provide SA Trust with copies of the circular and/or notices
relating to such meeting equal in number to the number of Unit Holders.
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7.4 | SA Trust shall in turn distribute the circulars and/or
notices to the addresses of the Unit Holders as recorded in the register
of Unit Holders maintained by the trustees of SA Trust. |
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7.5 | Those Unit Holders who wish to vote the Special Convertible
Preference Shares attributable to their Units shall complete forms of
proxy in respect of the circular, indicating the manner in which they
require the trustees of Holdings Trust to vote the Special Convertible
Preference Shares attributable to their Units, and shall forward the proxies
to the trustees of SA Trust, who will in turn forward them to the Enforcer,
who shall pass them on to the trustees of Holdings Trust. |
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7.6 | The trustees of Holdings Trust shall in turn lodge
proxies with Holdings in respect of the meeting, directing the chairman
of the meeting to vote the Special Convertible Preference Shares held
by Holdings Trust on behalf of the Unit Holders in accordance with the
wishes expressed by the Unit Holders. |
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7.7 | This procedure will be followed in respect of every
meeting of shareholders of Holdings from time to time. |
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8. | DIVIDENDS |
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8.1 | Holdings shall declare and pay to the holders of
Common Shares a dividend in respect of any amounts received from New Aplitec,
including dividends, capital distributions and loan repayments of capital
or interest, forthwith after such amounts have been received by Holdings,
after deduction of taxes payable by Holdings in respect thereof. |
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8.2 | When dividends from a non-South African source are
declared by Holdings in respect of the Special Convertible Preference
Shares, Holdings shall declare and pay the dividend accruing on the Special
Convertible Preference Shares to Holdings Trust and Holdings Trust in
turn will pay such dividends forthwith to SA Trust. |
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8.3 | The trustees of SA Trust will forthwith upon receipt
of the dividends distribute the dividends to the Unit Holders in proportion
to their Units. |
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8.4 | The dividends shall be distributed by the trustees
of SA Trust to the address of each Unit Holder recorded in the register
of Unit Holders or if so authorised by each Unit Holder, shall be made
by way of a direct transfer into the banking account of each Unit Holder.
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8.5 | The trustees of SA Trust may appoint any one or more
transfer secretaries to assist the trustees of SA Trust in the distribution
of any dividend from time to time. |
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8.6 | In respect of any dividend paid by New Aplitec on
the B Class Preference Shares or any payments of interest or capital in
respect of the B Class Loan Accounts, the trustees of SA Trust shall distribute
the amounts received to the Unit Holders in accordance with 8.3. |
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9. | DISPOSAL |
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9.1 | Upon the occurrence of a Trigger Event, the trustees
of SA Trust shall give written notice to the Holdings Trust, requesting
the distribution of the Special Convertible Preference Shares in the Distribution
Ratio (or in the case of a Trigger Event contemplated in 1.2.3.27.1, Special
Convertible Preference Shares in the Distribution Ratio for each Unit
in respect of which the Unit Holder has given notice). |
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9.2 | Upon receipt of the notice, Holdings Trust will distribute
to the trustees of SA Trust the Special Convertible Preference Shares
outlined in 9.1. |
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9.3 | The trustees of SA Trust shall take delivery from
Holdings Trust of the Special Convertible Preference Shares. |
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9.4 | Against delivery of the appropriate number of Special
Convertible Preference Shares, the trustees of SA Trust shall notify Holdings
of the decision to convert the Special Convertible Preference Shares into
Common Shares and shall deliver to Holdings a proportionate number of
B Class Preference Shares and B Class Loan Accounts and a proportionate
number of Special Convertible Preference Shares. SA Trust shall only be
entitled to convert the Special Convertible Preference Shares in multiples
of 100, unless there are Unit Holders holding odd lots of Special Convertible
Preference Shares in a lesser number, in which event they shall be entitled
to covert such odd lot holdings but only en bloc, not piecemeal. If any
fractions of Common Shares arise as a result of conversion of odd lots
of Special Convertible Preference Shares, Holdings shall buy back the
fractional Common Shares from SA Trust at their fair market value as determined
in accordance with Holdings’ Articles of Incorporation. |
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9.5 | If the Trigger Event is a Trigger Event contemplated
in 1.2.3.27.1, within the time period stipulated by the selling Unit Holder,
which shall not exceed 12 months, in order to comply with applicable Exchange
Control approvals, the trustees of SA Trust shall sell the Common Shares
at the price stipulated by the unit holder, or if the price stipulated
by the selling unit holder cannot be attained within such 12-month period,
at the market price. If the Trigger Event is a Trigger Event contemplated
in 1.2.3.27.2 or 1.2.3.27.3, the trustees of SA Trust shall sell the Common
Shares as soon as possible but not later than 12 months after the Trigger
Event concerned. Notwithstanding the aforegoing, the trustees of SA Trust
shall not be obliged to dispose of the common shares of a Unit Holder
who is a non-resident of the RSA, but shall distribute the Common Shares
to the Unit Holder concerned. If the Trigger Event is a Trigger Event
contemplated in 1.2.3.27.4, the trustees of SA Trust shall distribute
the Common Shares to the Unit Holders pro rata and wind up SA Trust. |
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9.6 | Upon receipt of the proceeds in South Africa, against
surrender of the Unit certificates, the trustees of SA Trust shall distribute
the proceeds, net of all costs, to the Unit Holder or Holders concerned.
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9.7 | Thereafter, the trustees of SA Trust shall cancel
the Units and make appropriate entries in the register of Unit Holders
in respect of the Units realised and issue new Unit certificates, if required.
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10. | BENEFICIARY OF HOLDINGS TRUST | |
10.1 | The Enforcer is the enforcer of Holdings Trust. |
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10.2 | In its capacity as enforcer of Holdings Trust, the
Enforcer has the power to appoint the beneficiaries of Holdings Trust
from time to time. |
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10.3 | The Enforcer hereby undertakes that it shall appoint
no one other than SA Trust as the beneficiary of Holdings Trust. |
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10.4 | The trustees of Holdings Trust shall not distribute
any of the assets or income of Holdings Trust other than to SA Trust as
beneficiary of Holdings Trust. |
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10.5 | If the Enforcer ceases to be the enforcer of Holdings
Trust for any reason, the trustees of SA Trust may by deed irrevocably
appoint any person or company not being one of the trustees of Holdings
Trust to be the enforcer. Each successor enforcer of Holdings Trust shall
adhere to and be bound by the terms of this agreement and the terms of
the deed of Holdings Trust. |
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10.6 | The Enforcer (or any successor enforcer of Holdings
Trust) shall ensure that the trustees of Holdings Trust comply with this
agreement. |
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11. | BROKERAGE COSTS | |
11.1 | The trustees of SA Trust shall establish relationships
with various stockbrokers in the United States in order to facilitate
the sale of any Common Shares from time to time. |
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11.2 | The trustees of SA Trust shall use all reasonable
endeavours to minimise the |
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brokerage costs payable in respect of the sale of
Common Shares from time to time. |
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12. | DOMICILIUM AND NOTICES | |
12.1 | The parties choose domicilium citandi et executandi
for all purposes of the giving of any notice, the payment of any sum,
the serving of any process and for any other purpose arising from this
agreement, as follows:- |
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12.1.1 | Enforcer | Xxxxxx Xxxxx | |||
X.X. Xxx 000 XX | |||||
Xxxx Xxxxxx | |||||
Xxxxxx Xxxx | |||||
Grand Cayman | |||||
Cayman Islands | |||||
Fax No. | (000) 000 0000 | ||||
12.1.2 | SAPET | 0 Xxxxxxx Xxxx | |||
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx | |||||
Xxxxxx | |||||
Xxxxxxx | |||||
Xxxxxxx, RSA | |||||
Fax No. | 00 00 000 0000 | ||||
Attention Xxxxxx Xxxx | |||||
12.1.3 | Holdings | 0xx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx | |||
000 Xxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx | |||||
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx | |||||
Fax No. | 00 00 000 0000 | ||||
Attention Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx | |||||
12.1.4 | SA Trust | 0 Xxxxxxx Xxxx | |||
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx | |||||
Xxxxxx | |||||
Xxxxxxx | |||||
Xxxxxxx, RSA | |||||
Fax No. | 00 00 000 0000 | ||||
Attention Xxxxxx Xxxx |
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12.1.5 | New Aplitec | 9 Xxxxxxx Road | ||
Illovo Boulevard | ||||
Illovo | ||||
Sandton | ||||
Gauteng, RSA | ||||
Fax No. | 00 00 000 0000 | |||
Attention Xxxxxx Xxxx |
12.2 | Each party shall be entitled from time
to time, by written notice to the other/s, to vary its domicilium to any
other physical address. |
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12.3 | Any notice given and any payment made
by a party to another party which is delivered by hand during the normal
business hours of the addressee at the addressee's domicilium shall be
rebuttably presumed to have been received by the addressee at the time
of delivery. |
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12.4 | Any notice given by a party to another
party by fax shall rebuttably be presumed to have been received by the
addressee on the date of successful transmission thereof. |
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12.5 | Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
in this 12, a written notice or other communication actually received
by a party shall be adequate notice to it notwithstanding that the notice
was not delivered to its given domicilium. |
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13. | APPLICABLE LAW All matters arising from or in connection with this agreement, its validity, existence or termination shall be determined in accordance with the laws for the time being of the RSA and the parties hereby submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the High Court of South Africa, Witwatersrand Local Division. |
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14. | GENERAL | |
14.1 | This document constitutes the sole record
of the agreement between the parties in relation to its subject matter. |
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14.2 | No party shall be bound by any representation,
warranty, promise or the like not recorded in this document. |
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14.3 | No addition to, variation, novation or agreed cancellation
of this agreement shall be of any force or effect unless in writing and
signed by or on behalf of the parties. |
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14.4 | No suspension of a right to enforce any term of this
agreement and no pactum de non petendo shall be of any force or
effect unless in writing and duly signed by or on behalf of the parties. |
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14.5 | No indulgence which a party may grant to another
party shall constitute a waiver of any of the rights of the grantor unless
in writing signed by both parties. |
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14.6 | All costs, charges and expenses of any nature whatever
which may be incurred by a party in enforcing its rights in terms of this
agreement, including without limiting the generality of the aforegoing,
legal costs on the scale of attorney and own client and collection commission,
irrespective of whether any action has been instituted, shall be recoverable
on demand from the party against which such rights are successfully enforced
and shall be payable on demand. |
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14.7 | The provisions of this agreement shall be binding
upon the successors-in-title- and the permitted assigns of the parties.
Accordingly, the rights and obligations of each party pursuant to this
agreement shall devolve upon and bind its successors-in-title and permitted
assigns. |
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14.8 | All provisions in this agreement are, notwithstanding
the manner in which they have been put together or linked grammatically,
severable from each other. Any provision of this agreement which is or
becomes unenforceable in any jurisdiction, whether due to voidness, invalidity,
illegality, unlawfulness or for any other reason whatsoever, shall, in
such jurisdiction only and only to the extent that it is so unenforceable,
be treated as pro non scripto and the remaining provisions of this agreement
shall be of full force and effect. The parties declare that it is their
intention that this agreement would be executed without such unenforceable
provisions if they were aware of such unenforceability at the time of
its execution. |
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15. | COUNTERPARTS This agreement may be executed by each party signing a separate copy thereof and each of the copies together shall constitute the agreement of the parties. |
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16. | COSTS Subject to the Condition being fulfilled, New Aplitec shall bear and pay all fees and costs of and incidental to the negotiation, drafting, preparation and execution of this agreement. |
Signed at Johannesburg on this the 10th day of November, 2003
/s/ Pierre d'Unienville
SAPEF III INTERNATIONAL G.P. LIMITED
who warrants that he is duly authorised hereto
Signed at Johannesburg on this the 10th day of November, 2003
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxx
SOUTH AFRICAN PRIVATE EQUITY TRUST III
who warrants that he is duly authorised hereto
Signed at Johannesburg on this the 10th day of November, 2003
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
NET1 UEPS TECHNOLOGIES, INC
who warrants that he is duly authorised hereto
Signed at Johannesburg on this the 10th day of November, 2003
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxx
NEW APLITEC PARTICIPATION TRUST
who warrants that he is duly authorised hereto
Signed at Johannesburg on this the 10th day of November, 2003
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxx
NEWSHELF 713 (PROPRIETARY) LIMITED
who warrants that he is duly authorised hereto
SCHEDULE 1
“A” CLASS LOAN ACCOUNTS
The A Class Loan Account shall:
1. | be repayable as and when directed by
the board of directors of New Aplitec in its sole and absolute discretion;
provided that no capital under the A Class Loan Account shall be repayable
until at least 30 days have lapsed from the date upon which the A Class
Loan Account is credited to Holdings; and provided further that the A
Class Loan Accounts may only be repaid with the prior written consent
of the Exchange Control department of the South African Reserve Bank; |
2. | bear interest at the rate of interest
determined by the board of directors of New Aplitec annually in advance
in its sole and absolute discretion; provided that the interest rate shall
not exceed the prime rate. The interest so determined shall be paid as
and when determined by the board; |
3. | be repaid in full if New Aplitec is
wound up or placed under judicial management, whether provisionally or
finally; |
4. | be repaid pro rata the B Class Loan
Accounts advanced by SA Trust to New Aplitec; |
5. | rank pari passu in all respects
with the B Class Loan Accounts advanced by the SA Trust to New Aplitec; |
6. | be subordinated in favour of all creditors
of New Aplitec (other than SA Trust as the holder of the B Class Loan
Account) if so decided by the board of directors of New Aplitec; |
7. | not be assigned, ceded, transferred
or encumbered by Holdings in any way; |
8. | be denominated in South African Rands. |
SCHEDULE 2
“B” CLASS LOAN ACCOUNTS
The B Class Loan Account credited by New Aplitec to SA Trust as fully paid up shall:
1. | rank pari passu in all respects with
the A Class Loan Accounts advanced by Holdings to New Aplitec; |
2. | be repayable as and when directed by
the board of directors of New Aplitec in its sole and absolute discretion;
provided that no capital under the B Class Loan Account shall be repayable
until at least 30 days have elapsed from the date upon which the B Class
Loan Account is credited to SA Trust; and provided further that the B
Class Loan Accounts may only be repaid when the Exchange Control Department
of the South African Reserve Bank has approved the repayment of the A
Class Loan Accounts advanced by Holdings to New Aplitec; |
3. | bear interest at the rate of interest
determined by the board of directors of New Aplitec annually in advance
in its sole and absolute discretion; provided that the interest rate shall
not exceed the prime rate from time to time. The interest so decided upon
shall be paid as and when determined by the board; |
4. | be repaid in full if New Aplitec is
wound up or placed under judicial management, whether provisionally or
finally; |
5. | shall be repaid pro rata with the A
Class Loan Accounts by Holdings to New Aplitec; |
6. | be subordinated in favour of all creditors
of New Aplitec (other than Holdings as holder of the A Class Loan Accounts)
if so decided upon by the board of directors of New Aplitec; |
7. | not be assigned, ceded, transferred
or encumbered by SA Trust in any way except to Holdings on the occurrence
of a trigger event; |
8. | be denominated in South African Rands. |
SCHEDULE 3
“B” CLASS PREFERENCE SHARES
The rights, privileges and conditions of the B Class Preference Shares shall be the following:
1. | The B Class Preference Shares shall be held by SA Trust on behalf of the Reinvesting Shareholders. |
2. | The B Class Preference Shares will constitute
58,14 percent of the entire issued share capital of New Aplitec and will
rank pari passu with ordinary shares in respect of participation
in dividends and return of capital prior to the winding-up of New Aplitec
for any reason. The B Class Preference Shares shall not participate in
dividends or a return of capital on a winding-up of New Aplitec. |
3. | The holder of the B Class Preference
Shares ("preference shareholder") shall not be entitled to be present
or to vote, either in person or by proxy, at any meeting of New Aplitec,
by virtue of, or in respect of the B Class Preference Shares, save as
provided in Section 194 of the Companies Act, or unless a resolution of
New Aplitec is proposed which directly affects the rights attached to
the B Class Preference Shares or the interests of the preference shareholder,
including a resolution for the declaration of a dividend on any class
of B Class Preference Shares in the issued share capital of New Aplitec,
for payment of interest and capital on B Class Loan Accounts, for the
disposal of any intellectual property of New Aplitec, for the winding-up
of New Aplitec or for the reduction of its share capital or share premium
account, or for the repayment or distribution of the share premium or
non-distributable reserves of New Aplitec or the issue of capitalisation
shares. The rights and privileges attaching to the B Class Preference
Shares shall not be regarded as being directly or adversely affected by
the creation and issue by New Aplitec of any further shares of any class,
unless those new shares rank as regards participation in assets or profits
of New Aplitec or voting rights in all or some respects in priority to
or pari passu with the B Class Preference Shares. |
4. | At every meeting at which the preference
shareholder is entitle to be present and to vote the provisions of the
articles of association of New Aplitec relating to general meetings of |
ordinary members shall apply
mutatis mutandis, except that a quorum at any such general meeting
shall be any person or persons holding or representing by proxy at least
one-fifth of the B Class Preference Shares; provided that if at any adjournment
of such meeting a quorum is not so present, the provisions of the articles
of association of New Aplitec relating to adjourned general meetings shall
apply mutatis mutandis. At every general meeting of New Aplitec
at which the preference shareholder as well as other classes of shares
are present and entitled to vote, upon a poll the preference shareholder
shall be entitled to that proportion of the total votes in New Aplitec
which the aggregate number of the B Class Preference Shares held by it
bears to the aggregate number of all shares entitled to be voted at such
meeting; provided that no resolution for the declaration of a dividend
or for the disposal of any intellectual property of New Aplitec shall
be passed unless 50,1 percent of the votes exercisable in respect of the
B Class Preference Shares are voted in favour of the resolution. |
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5. | Unless a resolution is passed
by 75 percent of the votes exercisable in respect of the B Class Preference
Shares in the same manner mutatis mutandis as a special resolution: |
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5.1. |
the terms of the B Class Preference
Shares may not be modified, altered, varied, added to or abrogated; |
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5.2. |
the share capital or stated capital
may not be reduced; |
|
5.3. |
the share premium or non-distributable
reserves of New Aplitec may not be repaid or distributed; |
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5.4. |
no shares in the capital of New Aplitec
ranking, as regards rights to dividend or redemption or, on a winding-up,
as regards return of capital, in priority to or pari passu with
the B Class Preference Shares, shall be created or issued. |
|
6. | The preference shareholder
may not in any manner sell, transfer or dispose of the B Class Preference
Shares unless upon the occurrence of a trigger event, and then only by
transferring them to Holdings at the same time as it cedes a pro rata
portion of its B Class Loan Accounts against New Aplitec to Holdings. |
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7. | On the occurrence of a trigger
event, the preference shareholder will notify Holdings Trust thereof in
writing whereupon which Holdings Trust shall distribute to the preference
shareholder Special Convertible Preference Shares in the distribution
ratio for each B Class |
Preference Share in respect of which notice has been
given to Holdings Trust. For the sake of clarity, it is recorded that
a Reinvesting Shareholder may instruct the preference shareholder to dispose
of the B Class Preference Shares indirectly held by him in whole or in
part. |
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8. | The consideration payable to the preference shareholder
by Holdings for the B Class Preference Shares transferred and B Class
Loan Accounts ceded shall be the conversion of the Special Convertible
Preference Shares referred to in clause 7 to Common Shares in Holdings
on a one-for-one basis. |
SCHEDULE 4
SPECIAL CONVERTIBLE PREFERENCE SHARES
The rights and restrictions attaching to the Special Convertible Preference Shares in Holdings are as follows:
1. | The Special Convertible
Preference Shares shall be held by Holdings Trust on behalf of SA Trust,
for the benefit of Reinvesting Shareholders. |
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2. | The Special Convertible
Preference Shares shall constitute 58,14 percent of the entire issued
share capital of Holdings, prior to any conversion of the Special Convertible
Preference Shares into Common Shares. |
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3. | Dividends |
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3.1. |
For so long as there are any Special
Convertible Preference Shares in issue, the directors of Holdings (“the
Directors”) shall, immediately prior to the resolution and declaration
of any dividend, determine the amount (if any) of that dividend which
is to be paid from amounts received from New Aplitec either by way of
dividend or capital distributions or loan repayments of capital or interest
(for the sake of clarity, this excludes the receipt of any liquidation
distribution or dividend after an Act of Insolvency in relation to New
Aplitec as the Special Convertible Preference Shares shall not longer
be capable of conversion) ("SA Dividend Amount") and the amount (if any)
of that dividend which is to be paid from the other retained distributable
reserves of Holdings ("Non-SA Dividend Amount"). |
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3.2. |
For so long as there are any Special
Convertible Preference Shares in issue, the Directors may declare and
pay a dividend which comprises solely a Non-SA Dividend Amount (that is,
without declaring and paying a SA Dividend Amount) and the Directors may
declare and pay a dividend which comprises solely a SA Dividend Amount
(that is, without declaring and paying a Non-SA Dividend Amount). |
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3.3. |
Any determination by the Directors of
a SA Dividend Amount and/or a Non-SA Dividend Amount shall be made by
the Directors in good faith and shall be final and binding on |
both the holders of Common Shares and
the holders of Special Convertible Preference Shares (collectively “Members”). |
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3.4. |
For so long as there are any Special
Convertible Preference Shares in issue, any Non-SA Dividend Amount shall
be paid to the Members pro rata to their respective shareholdings in Holdings,
and the Common Shares and the Special Convertible Preference Shares shall
rank pari passu in respect of dividends declared and/or paid from Non-SA
Dividend Amounts |
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3.5. |
For so long as there are any Special
Convertible Preference Shares in issue, any SA Dividend Amount shall be
paid only to the holders of Common Shares and the holders of Special Convertible
Preference Shares shall have no entitlement to participate in any dividend
declared and/or paid from a SA Dividend Amount. |
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3.6. |
For so long as there are any Special
Convertible Preference Shares in issue and subject to Holdings having
sufficient distributable reserves, Holdings shall, on receipt of amounts
from New Aplitec received either by way of dividend or capital distributions
or loan repayments of capital or interest, declare and pay a SA Dividend
Amount in an amount equal to the amounts so received from New Aplitec,
after deducting therefrom the taxes payable by Holdings on the amount
so received. |
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4. | Voting |
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4.1. |
Holders of Common Shares and Special
Convertible Preference Shares have the right to receive notice of, attend,
speak and vote at general meetings of Holdings. |
|
4.2. |
All voting at general meetings of Holdings
shall be taken by a poll and not a show of hands. |
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4.3. |
A holder of Common Shares or Special
Convertible Preference Shares present in person, or the person representing
a holder of Common Shares or Special Convertible Preference Shares by
proxy, shall at a general meeting of Holdings have one vote for each share
in Holdings held or represented, whether Common Shares or Special Convertible
Preference Shares. |
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5. | Conversion |
5.1. |
Upon the instruction of SA Trust, Holdings Trust
shall distribute such number of Special Convertible Preference Shares
as it is instructed to SA Trust in the Distribution Ratio. |
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5.2. |
SA Trust shall convert the Special Convertible Preference
Shares it receives in terms of 5.1 above then in issue by delivering to
Holdings the share certificates for the Special Convertible Preference
Shares, share transfers in favour of Holdings in the form reasonably required
by the Directors and accompanying certificates for a pro rata portion
of the B Class Preference Shares and an assignment and transfer in favour
of Holdings in the form reasonably required by the Directors of a pro
rata portion of the loan accounts. Each Special Convertible Preference
Share will be converted into one Common Share. The date of delivery of
these certificates and transfers shall be a "Conversion Date"). |
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5.3. |
The Common Shares into which the Special Convertible
Preference Shares are converted shall be credited as fully paid and shall
rank pari passu in all respects and form one class with the Common Shares
then in issue. |
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5.4. |
The allotment of new Common Shares shall be made
within three days of the relevant Conversion Date. A certificate for new
Common Shares shall be sent as soon as practicable after the relevant
Conversion Date to Holdings Trust without charge. Pending delivery of
certificates for new Common Shares transfers shall be certified against
the register. |
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5.5. |
If Special Convertible Preference Shares remain capable
of conversion into Common Shares and either (A) a resolution for voluntary
winding up of Holdings is passed or (B) a winding-up order is made by
the court in relation to Holdings, Holdings Trust shall immediately distribute
all the Special Convertible Preference Shares to SA Trust, which shall
thereupon convert the Special Convertible Preference Shares into Common
Shares into Holdings. |
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5.6. |
In the event of an Act of Insolvency in relation
to New Aplitec, Holdings Trust shall immediately distribute all the Special
Convertible Preference Shares to SA Trust, who shall thereupon convert
the Special Convertible Preference Shares into Common Shares in Holdings.
|
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6. | Restriction on holding
of Special Convertible Preference Shares |
No person other than the trustee of Holdings Trust
or SA Trust (following a distribution of the Special Convertible Preference
Shares by Holdings Trust to SA Trust, before conversion of the Special
Convertible Preference Shares into Common Shares by SA Trust), shall hold
Special Convertible Preference Shares. |
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7. | Winding up |
In circumstances when the Special Convertible Preference
Shares have not been converted into Common Shares for any reason, on a
return of capital on winding up or otherwise (other than on conversion,
redemption or purchase of shares) Holdings' assets available for distribution
among the Members shall, save as otherwise provided by paragraph 5 above,
be applied pari passu to the holders of Common Shares and the holders
of Special Convertible Preference Shares on the basis that the Special
Convertible Preference Shares will be deemed to have been converted into
Common Shares. |