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ECSPONENT LIMITED - Forensic investigation into the use and distribution of funds received under a third-party term loan facility

Release Date: 01/09/2020 07:10
Wrap Text
Forensic investigation into the use and distribution of funds received under a third-party term loan facility

ECSPONENT LIMITED
Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa
Registration number: 1998/013215/06
JSE Code: ECS – ISIN: ZAE000179594
Debt Issuer Code: ECSD
Hybrid Issuer Code: ECSH
(“the Company” or “Ecsponent”)

ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING A FORENSIC INVESTIGATION INTO THE USE AND
DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS RECEIVED UNDER A THIRD-PARTY TERM LOAN FACILITY

The board of directors of Ecsponent (“the Board”), through an internal investigation, noted that
USD7.5 million of funds received by a Mauritian based subsidiary of the Company (“the Borrower”)
under a third-party loan facility (“the Facility”), may have been misappropriated. The Facility was
advanced by a third-party lender (“the Lender”), and is guaranteed by the Company.

Stakeholders are accordingly advised that the Board had instructed a forensic investigation into the
use and distribution of the funds from the Facility and, based on recommendations from the forensic
investigators and legal representation obtained from the external legal counsel of the Company, the
Board has instructed its legal counsel to institute legal action against certain parties (“the
Offenders”) whom the Board believes are potentially liable to the Company for actions by them
that have resulted in the current inability of the Borrower to maintain the Facility, as further detailed
in the forensic report.

Further details will be disclosed on SENS upon institution of the recommended legal action, and once
the outcome of such legal action is known.

IMPACT ON SERVICING OF MONTHLY INTEREST AND SETTLEMENT OF THE FACILITY

The ability of the Company to service the ongoing monthly interest and repay the principal amount
of the Facility, 50% which is due in May 2021 and the remaining 50% in September 2021 has been
impacted due to the alleged activities of the Offenders. At the date of this announcement, interest,
and penalties on the Facility amounting to R10,581,129.35 (USD621,910.87) are overdue.

Accordingly, the Board is actively seeking to renegotiate the terms of the Facility with the Lender.
Although the Lender is entitled to make demand for the entire debt owed and has reserved its rights
against the Borrower, the Lender has not yet accelerated debt repayments.

The Board is committed to resolving the situation by seeking to find a solution that is mutually
acceptable to all parties. It also continues to work proactively with all stakeholders to improve its
liquidity, its overall debt profile and long-term growth of its private equity portfolio.


Pretoria
1 September 2020

Sponsor to Ecsponent
Questco Corporate Advisory (Pty) Ltd

Date: 01-09-2020 07:10:00
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