Broke Econet Media racked up R1.8-billion in debt

Econet Media racked up more than US$130-million (R1.8-billion) in external liabilities and was unable to pay suppliers before it was placed into administration earlier this week, a document seen by TechCentral shows.

The business, controlled by Zimbabwean businessman Strive Masiyiwe, has hired Ernst & Young’s Paul Gerald Lincoln, a licensed insolvency practitioner, in an effort to salvage the business.

The company, which owns free-to-air and pay-television assets — and which launched the Kwese Play Internet streaming service in South Africa in 2017 — said in a letter to creditors on 1 July that it was not able to meet its obligations to them. It is due to meet its creditors on 10 July.

The letter said Econet Media’s directors, after considering the most recent management accounts as at 31 May 2019, had “formed the opinion that the company is likely to become insolvent” for three reasons.

Firstly, the company is in “financial distress” and there is “material doubt” about its ability to pay its liabilities as they fall due.

Secondly, the company had accrued more than $130-million of external liabilities. “Around November 2018, management entered into settlement arrangements with most of the company’s creditors,” the letter said. “All creditors with balances of up to $100 000 were paid in full. In the most part, creditors of the company with balances of more than $100 000 were paid 15% of their balances with agreement that (1) a second instalment will be made by the company around May 2019 (25%), (2) a second instalment will be made by the company around August 2019 (25%) and (3) a final instalment will be made by the company around December 2019 (35%). The company was unable to meet the May 2019 instalment.”

‘Deadline could not be met’

Lastly, management communicated to affected creditors that the second instalment — a total of $35-million — would be paid on 30 June 2019. “Regrettably, with the current macroeconomic conditions in Zimbabwe, which is the company’s primary source of funding, the company has been seriously affected by the currency regime. Accordingly, this deadline could not be met.”

The letter continued: “In the circumstances, the directors believe that it is in the best interests of the company and its creditors that (it) be placed into voluntary administration … and for an administrator to be appointed.”
The hope is that the company will be able to continue operating, or “as much as possible” of the business can be salvaged. If not, management believes that going into administration could provide a better return for creditors and shareholders than a decision to wind up the company immediately.

In March, Kwese Free TV, which is 20% owned by Econet Group, was given a licence by communications regulator Icasa to launch a free-to-air terrestrial TV service in South Africa. Kwese Free TV was the first free-to-air terrestrial broadcaster to be licensed since e.tv received its licence in the late 1990s. It’s not clear whether the latest developments will imperil the launch of the service. Icasa had given Kwese 24 months to launch the service, or until March 2021.

Other shareholders in Kwese Free TV include Royal Bafokeng Metix (part of Royal Bafokeng Holdings), which has a 45% stake, and Moss Mashishi’s Mosong Capital, which has a 35% stake.

Econet Media group regulatory affairs executive Zolile Ntukwana could not immediately be reached on his mobile phone for comment as his phone was off. A call to Econet Media spokeswoman Nobantu Mchunu, also on her mobile phone, went unanswered. – © 2019 NewsCentral Media