Cilliers v LA Concorde Holdings Limited and Others (23029/2016) [2018] ZAWCHC 68; 2018 (6) SA 97 (WCC) (14 June 2018)

Cilliers v LA Concorde Holdings Limited and Others (23029/2016) [2018] ZAWCHC 68; 2018 (6) SA 97 (WCC) (14 June 2018)

The court held that Section 164 of the Companies Act, read with Section 115(8), confers appraisal rights on dissenting minority shareholders of a holding company when its subsidiary disposes of all or the greater part of its assets or undertaking, provided the transaction meets the requirements of Section 115(2)(b)....

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2018] ZAWCHC 68
Parties
Applicant: Abraham Albertus Cilliers; Respondent: LA Concorde Holdings Limited; Respondent: KWV South Africa (Pty) Limited; Respondent: KWV Intellectual Property (Pty) Limited; Respondent: Abraham Albertus Cilliers Snr; Respondent: BNS Nominees (Pty) Limited, on behalf of Jannine Cilliers; Respondent: BNS Nominees (Pty) Limited, on behalf of Abraham Albertus Cilliers; Respondent: Catharina Helena Margaretha Johanna Retief; Respondent: Febros Nominees (Pty) Limited, on behalf of OE Veglio di Castellto; Respondent: Brenn-O-Kem (Pty) Limited
Court
Western Cape High Court, Cape Town
Jurisdiction
South Africa
Case Number
23029/2016
Procedural Posture
Civil Application / Determination of a Question of Law Under Rule 6(5)(d)(iii)
Outcome
Order granted in favour of the applicant; minority shareholders in the holding company are entitled to appraisal rights under Section 164 in the circumstances contemplated by Section 115(2)(b).
Judges
Papier
Legal Topics
Shareholder Appraisal Rights, Minority Protection, Companies Act 71 of 2008, Fundamental Transactions, Statutory Exit Rights
Commercial and Corporate Shareholder Appraisal Rights Minority Protection Companies Act 71 of 2008 Fundamental Transactions Statutory Exit Rights

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Parties

Abraham Albertus Cilliers

Applicant

LA Concorde Holdings Limited

Respondent

KWV South Africa (Pty) Limited

Respondent

KWV Intellectual Property (Pty) Limited

Respondent

Abraham Albertus Cilliers Snr

Respondent

BNS Nominees (Pty) Limited, on behalf of Jannine Cilliers

Respondent

BNS Nominees (Pty) Limited, on behalf of Abraham Albertus Cilliers

Respondent

Catharina Helena Margaretha Johanna Retief

Respondent

Febros Nominees (Pty) Limited, on behalf of OE Veglio di Castellto

Respondent

Brenn-O-Kem (Pty) Limited

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Application / Determination of a Question of Law Under Rule 6(5)(d)(iii)

  1. 1 Does Section 164 of the Companies Act 71 of 2008 confer appraisal rights on dissenting minority shareholders of a holding company when its subsidiary disposes of all or the greater part of its assets or undertaking, as contemplated in Section 115(2)(b)?
  2. 2 Is the right to seek relief under Section 164 limited to shareholders of the disposing company, or does it extend to shareholders of the holding company in these circumstances?
  3. 3 What is the correct interpretation of Sections 112, 115, and 164 of the Companies Act regarding the protection of minority shareholders in fundamental transactions?

Ratio Decidendi

The court held that Section 164 of the Companies Act, read with Section 115(8), confers appraisal rights on dissenting minority shareholders of a holding company when its subsidiary disposes of all or the greater part of its assets or undertaking, provided the transaction meets the requirements of Section 115(2)(b). The statutory language is clear and unambiguous, and the legislative intent is to protect minority shareholders by granting them the right to exit at fair value. The court rejected the respondents' restrictive interpretation and found that both the disposing entity and the holding company's shareholders are eligible for appraisal rights in such fundamental transactions. The...

Court Disposition

Order granted in favour of the applicant; minority shareholders in the holding company are entitled to appraisal rights under Section 164 in the circumstances contemplated by Section 115(2)(b).

Orders

  • The applicant, as a minority shareholder in the holding company, is capable of holding a shareholder appraisal right.
  • Section 115(8) of the Companies Act 71 of 2008 is interpreted to mean that Section 164 applies to dissenting shareholders of the holding company who objected to and voted against the resolution at a meeting called for that purpose, in compliance with the Act.