AEL: ALLIED ELECTRONICS CORPORATION LIMITED – Voluntary Announcement

AEL: ALLIED ELECTRONICS CORPORATION LIMITED - Voluntary Announcement
Voluntary Announcement

Allied Electronics Corporation Limited
(Registration number 1947/024583/06)
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
Share code: AEL ISIN: ZAE000191342
("Altron")


VOLUNTARY ANNOUNCEMENT


Following enquiries from several stakeholders, the Altron Board wishes to provide
clarification with regard to recent allegations in the media of collusion by some of Altron´s
subsidiaries relating to the Digital Terrestrial Television ("DTT") Set-Top Box tender issued
by the South African Government in 2014 ("the DTT tender"). For the avoidance of doubt
and to address any inaccurate reports, please note the following:

-      Altech UEC, an Altron subsidiary, which is in the process of being sold, responded to
       the DTT tender in 2014, but was ultimately unsuccessful in its bid to secure the
       tender.
-      At the time of the issuing of the tender, Altech UEC was one of only a few companies
       in South Africa with the capability and capacity to manufacture large quantities of
       set-top boxes. As a result, third parties approached Altech UEC with a view to partner
       with them on commercial manufacturing and supply agreements relating to the
       opportunity. These engagements were encouraged by Government to promote
       growth in the SME sector.
-      Although there was correspondence between Altech UEC and these third parties, the
       company took a commercial decision not to enter into agreements with any of these
       entitles.
-      No monies or fees were paid to any individual or party related to these
       engagements.
-      The DTT tender was awarded in March 2015 to companies not related to Altron.

In November 2017 three Altron subsidiaries, together with 12 other businesses, raided by
the Competition Commission as part of its investigation into alleged collusion in connection
with the DTT tender.

In August this year, in response to certain media reports, Altron initiated an internal
investigation which found no wrong doing on the part of Altech UEC. Subsequent to the
Competition Commission dawn raid, the company appointed an external legal firm,
Bowmans, to conduct an independent investigation into the allegations. Altron is expecting
Bowman´s final report at the end of January 2018. In the meantime, Altron is providing its
full cooperation to the Competition Commission.

Due to the Competition Commission investigation, there may be delays in the Altech UEC
disposal process.

With the current information at hand, the Board wishes to confirm that Altron denies the
allegations in the strongest terms. Altron does not condone, support or encourage any action
that is in contravention of the group´s values, corporate governance codes and regulations.
Should at any time the investigation find that any Altron employee acted contrary to the
law, the necessary steps will be taken in a decisive manner.

The Altron group obeys the laws and regulations of all countries in which it operates and
remains committed to uncompromising ethical business practices through stringent
corporate governance.

Altron will keep its shareholders informed of any further information on this issue when it
becomes available.
Johannesburg
15 December 2017

Sponsor
Investec Bank Limited

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