Inventories

Inventories comprise prepaid airtime (including physical prepaid airtime), handsets and other related products.

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (net of rebates and discounts) or estimated net realisable value. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, overheads that have been incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition, excluding borrowing costs. The cost of inventory is determined by means of the weighted average cost basis. Net realisable value is the estimate of the selling price in the ordinary course of business, less selling expenses. Provisions are made for obsolete, unusable and unsaleable inventory and for latent damage first revealed when inventory items are taken into use or offered for sale. Where unused PINS have been recycled and included in inventory for resale, the Group recognises the stock at no value.

Inventories with a cost of R23.2 billion (2018: R24.4 billion) were sold during the year and have been charged to the income statement.

Included in the above balances are provisions for obsolete, unusable and unsalable inventory and for latent damage to the value of R17.5 million (2018: R10.9 million).

A general notarial bond is held by Investec Bank Limited over airtime up to R1.5 billion (2018: R1.5 billion). There is no unrealised profit included in Cell C prepaid airtime inventory at year-end due to Cell C only recognising revenue from the sale of period airtime on utilisation by the customer.