[Last updated: 1 January 2025, unless otherwise noted]
The Takeover Regulations provide a strict timetable in relation to takeover offers, as set out below:
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No. |
Event |
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1. |
The timetable commences with the publication by the company of a firm intention announcement, which is triggered by receipt by the target board of a formal written offer from the bidder. |
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2. |
After publication of the firm intention announcement, the bidder has 20 business days to post the offer document (offer circular) to the target's shareholders. |
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3. |
The offer must initially be open for acceptance for at least 30 business days after the offer document is posted. |
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4. |
The target's independent board must advise its shareholders of its views of the offer within 20 business days of the posting of the offer document by way of a response circular. |
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5. |
The offer must be declared unconditional as to acceptances (that is, all the necessary acceptances have been received) within 45 days from the posting of the offer document, or the offer will lapse. |
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6. |
Once the offer has been declared unconditional as to acceptances, the bidder must announce that fact within one business day. |
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7. |
After the offer has become unconditional in all respects, the offer must be announced as being unconditional within one business day, whereafter the unconditional offer must remain open for at least 10 business days after such announcement. |
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8. |
Consideration for the offer must be settled within six business days of the offer becoming or being declared wholly unconditional, or the offer being accepted, whichever is the later. |
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9. |
An offer may be extended by an announcement made prior to the initial closing date provided that the right to do so has been specifically reserved in the offer document. |
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10. |
If an offer consideration is revised (by increasing the original announced offer consideration or providing an alternate consideration to the original announced offer consideration), it must remain open for acceptances for 15 business days following the date on which the revised offer consideration is announced. Shareholders who have accepted the original offer consideration are entitled to revise their initial acceptance and elect to receive the revised offer consideration. |
If a competing offer is announced in respect of the target, both bidders will usually be bound by the timetable established by the competing offer.
Click here for the overview of the main steps for a public voluntary takeover offer in South_Africa.