vodacom bee case dismissed
06 June 2008

The Tiger Consortium has been ordered to pay costs, including that of two senior counsel.  The High Court noted the dismissal was based solely on the finding of “want of urgency” and “non joinder of the National Independent Telecommunications Organisation of SA (Nitosa) and Vodacom Black Management”.

The latter point means the two parties either did not appear, or did not join in the action.

However, the Tiger Consortium may still be able to pursue a court battle as the High Court made no decision on the merits of the application.  Tiger Consortium spokesman Jacobus van Schalkwyk was contacted, but was unable to make comment until later in the day.

However, Vodacom chief communications officer Dot Field said the operator was satisfied with the ruling.  “We can now continue with the BEE transaction as originally envisaged. Fortunately, today's events have not delayed the transaction in any way. We wish to reiterate that our staff and black business partners will not be prejudiced in any way.”

Kimberly Guest, www.itweb.co.za