MASSMART - MASSMART STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO FIRE AT MAKRO, STRUBENS VALLEY

MASSMART - MASSMART STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO FIRE AT MAKRO, STRUBENS VALLEY     
MASSMART HOLDINGS LIMITED                                                       
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)                                  
(Registration number 1940/014066/06)                                            
Share code MSM   ISIN ZAE000029534                                              
("Massmart")                                                                    
13th May 2004                                                                   
MASSMART STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO FIRE AT MAKRO, STRUBENS VALLEY                
Massmart today confirmed that a fire had destroyed the Group"s Makro store in   
Strubens Valley, Gauteng, but that all customers and employees had been safely  
evacuated.                                                                      
The fire, which began shortly before 1.50pm, began in the receiving area of the 
liquor department, where construction work has been underway as part of an      
expansion initiative at the store.                                              
Commenting on the fire, Mark Lamberti, CEO Massmart, said: "The management team 
at the store responded immediately, implementing emergency procedures. All      
customers and staff have been safely evacuated and a full investigation is      
underway.  We deeply regret any inconvenience caused to our customers, local    
residents and staff and would like to thank the emergency services for their    
superb support and professionalism."                                            
The Makro store at Strubens Valley is 13,000 square meters and holds            
approximately R65m of stock. The store is fully insured both for the building   
itself and stock contained within it.                                           
In a separate fire incident in May 2001, the Makro Woodmead store was destroyed.
In that instance, the store was completely re-built and re-opened within five   
months.  Every effort will be made to ensure that the Strubens Valley store is  
re-opened as soon as possible.                                                  
Enquiries:                                                                      
Rob Pinker          Brunswick      083 326 7794                                 
Taryn Proksch       Brunswick      083 273 1301                                 
Date: 13/05/2004 04:34:09 PM Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za                     
Produced by the JSE SENS Department