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Update announcement
Choppies Enterprises Limited
(Registration number 2004/1681)
JSE share code: CHP
BSE share code: CHOPPIES
ISIN: BW0000001072
Tax reference number: C08710401018
(“Company” or “the Group”)
UPDATE ANNOUNCEMENT
The Board advises shareholders that the reviews by Advocates Hoffman SC, Redding SC and Meyerowitz
(“Counsel”), commissioned by the current Board, the subject of announcements by the Board on 27
September and 16 October 2019, have been completed.
The opinions of Counsel will be published on the Company’s website and can be accessed via the
following link www.choppies.co.bw
Counsel are of the view that there were several failures of corporate governance, lack of effective
governance and lack of proper oversight, only one of which warrants further investigation and subject
to the result of that investigation, action against the directors involved. Counsel point out that it is
difficult to attribute blame for the delay in publication of the 2018 financial statements to any one party.
The current Board has taken action and is taking action to improve the Group’s controls and governance
procedures, including establishing an Approvals Framework and a code of ethics, a thoroughgoing
review of all Board Committee Charters, all related party transactions and the contract of employment
of Ramachandran Ottapathu (Ottapathu), the establishment of an Investment Committee and
consideration of the structure of the Remuneration Committee.
Counsel do not believe that Charge 2 (the alleged use of company funds for the acquisition by Ottapathu
of shares in Payless Supermarkets (Pty) Ltd) could be established. Counsel conclude that on the
evidence there is no actionable malfeasance by Ottapathu in respect of the Fours Buying Group,
contrary to Charge 3 formulated against him. In this regard, the evidence is that he did not acquire
beneficial ownership in the shares of the Fours Buying Group nor did he misappropriate a corporate
opportunity and it is unlikely that the charge in this regard could be established. Counsel do not believe
that Charge 4 (Ottapathu’s alleged misleading of shareholders as to the reasons for his suspension)
could be established.
As regards Charge 1 of the charges proffered against Ottapathu, Counsel are of the view that the EY
Report, whilst listing a plethora of accounting irregularities, reaches no firm and positive conclusion.
The EY Report does however provide circumstantial evidence that stock losses in South Africa and
Zimbabwe were disguised and linked to other transactions including the purchase of four stores in South
Africa, and Counsel recommend the issue be fully investigated.
Counsel recommend an investigation, which follows fair procedure according to established principles,
in which any employee involved in the issue being investigated is given an opportunity to explain and
defend him/herself, which investigation could lead to the sanctioning of an employee including
dismissal. It is for the Company to prove the conduct which is so serious as to warrant sanction or
dismissal.
Counsel are of the view that the circumstantial evidence of suspicious conduct currently available does
not amount to a conclusive case of serious misconduct sufficient to substantiate the first charge against
Ottapathu, and it is unlikely, based on current evidence, that a finding of fraud or breach of fiduciary
duty can be made, and it would be unwise to proceed with that charge based on current evidence.
Counsel recommend an investigation into the facts involved in the alleged disguising of stock losses to
assess the sufficiency and cogency of the evidence, before proceeding any further.
The Board has resolved to follow the recommendation of Counsel and cause a focused investigation by
independent counsel to establish the sufficiency and cogency of evidence prior to taking a final decision
whether to proceed with a disciplinary enquiry.
The Company's primary listing is on the BSEL and its secondary listing is on the JSE. The listings on both
exchanges are suspended.
By order of the Board
19 December 2019
BSEL Sponsoring Broker
African Alliance Botswana Limited
JSE Sponsor
RAND MERCHANT BANK (A division of FirstRand Bank Limited)
Date: 19-12-2019 03:30:00
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