THE BIDVEST GROUP LIMITED - ACQUISITION OF MCCARTHY LIMITED ("MCCARTHY")

THE BIDVEST GROUP LIMITED - ACQUISITION OF MCCARTHY LIMITED ("MCCARTHY")        
                            ORDINARY SHARES                                     
THE BIDVEST GROUP LIMITED                                                       
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)                                  
(Registration number 1946/021180/06)                                            
Share code: BVT                                                                 
ISIN: ZAE000050449                                                              
("Bidvest")                                                                     
ACQUISITION OF MCCARTHY LIMITED ("MCCARTHY") ORDINARY SHARES                    
In terms of rule 7.1 of the Securities Regulation Code, Investec Bank Limited is
authorised to announce that between December 22 2003 and December 23 2003, BB   
Investment Company (Proprietary) Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The      
Bidvest Group Limited acquired 1 616 943 McCarthy ordinary shares at a price of 
35 cents per McCarthy ordinary share.                                           
Sandton                                                                         
24 December 2003                                                                
Corporate Adviser and Lead Sponsor to Bidvest:                                  
Investec Corporate Finance                                                      
Co Sponsor:                                                                     
Deutsche                                                                        
Date: 24/12/2003 09:46:02 AM Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za                     
Produced by the JSE SENS Department