11. Discontinued operations
 

Accounting policy

A discontinued operation is a component of the entity that has been disposed of or is classified as held-for-sale and that represents a separate major line of business or geographical area of operations, is part of a single co-ordinated plan to dispose of such a line of business or area of operations, or is a subsidiary acquired exclusively with a view to resale. The results of discontinued operations are presented separately in the income statement.

Description

Closure of WiConnect

While management had implemented a turnaround strategy at WiConnect (a fully owned subsidiary of the Group), which incorporated the strengthening of the retail management team, a refocus of product sales as well as negotiating additional rebates from the network operators and original equipment manufacturers, Covid-19 had a significant negative impact on the retail operations of WiConnect. These included increased costs of inventories as a result of a weaker rand, periods of non-trading as a result of the nationwide lockdown and consumers foregoing discretionary purchases. Given the uncertainty of the tenure of the pandemic and the resultant losses attributable thereto impacting its financial feasibility, a decision was made on 11 May 2020 to cease the operations of the WiConnect retail stores.

Significant management judgement was applied in the preparation of the May 2020 financial statements in determining whether WiConnect is a discontinued operation by assessing whether it had effectively been ceased to be used or abandoned by year-end and also whether it represented a separate major line of business or geographical area of operations or was part of a single plan to dispose of a separate major line of business or geographical area of operations. For further information regarding management�s considerations in concluding that WiConnect was a discontinued operation please refer to the information under the �Critical accounting judgements and assumptions� heading.

Management believes that the above assessment is still applicable for the year ended 31 May 2021. The revenue, other income and expenses incurred post the 31 May 2020 year-end are congruent with the winding down of the WiConnect operations. Management has negotiated settlement terms with substantially all landlords resulting in significant savings on lease liability costs which were accounted for as modifications to the lease terms. These modifications have been recorded in the �Profit from discontinued operation� line item within the Group statement of comprehensive income.

Management is in the process of recovering outstanding debts owed to WiConnect and settling trade and other sundry payables.

3G Mobile and VAS Operations disposals

On 25 September 2019, the Group announced it had entered into an agreement to dispose of its  85% shareholding in Blue Label Mobile Group Proprietary Limited as well as its 51% shareholdings in Simigenix Proprietary Limited and Panacea Proprietary Limited (together the VAS Operations), to DNI 4PL Contracts Proprietary Limited (DNI), for a purchase consideration of R450 million, inclusive of loan claims, plus the amounts which Blue Label Mobile Group Proprietary Limited has disbursed towards the acquisition of 50% of Hyve as at the transaction closing date. Of the purchase consideration of R450 million, R100 million (bearing interest at prime overdraft rates plus 2% per annum compounded on a monthly basis), is contingent upon the solvency and liquidity status of Cell C being proven. There is no set date by which this needs to be proven and the consideration would only have to be proven once. Should the solvency and liquidity never be successfully proven, then the R100 million contingent purchase price and the interest accrued thereon will be forfeited by BLT, but in lieu thereof, BLM will transfer 24% of the issued share capital of Airvantage and AV Technology to BLT. Prior to the effective date of the disposal of the VAS Operations, Simigenix and Panacea were sold on loan account to Blue Label Mobile Group Proprietary Limited.

Furthermore, the Group announced that it would dispose of 100% of the shares in 3G to DNI for a purchase consideration of R544 million (this disposal group will be referred to as 3G Mobile) and would distribute its shares in Comm Equipment Company (CEC) and 3G�s loan account claim against CEC to its shareholder, TPC prior to the effective date of the disposal. The associated assets and liabilities of the VAS Operations and 3G Mobile disposal groups were consequently presented as held-for-sale in the reviewed results for the half-year ended 30 November 2019.

The 3G Mobile and VAS Operations were sold with effect from 14 February 2020 and 30 April 2020 respectively.

Financial information relating to the various discontinued operations is set out below:

  WiConnect 1 June 2020 –  
31 May 2021  
R�000  		 Total 
2021 
R�000 
Revenue and other income  67 752   67 752  
Expenses  (32 895)   (32 895)  
Profit before taxation  34 857   34 857  
Taxation  (9 536)   (9 536)  
Profit after taxation of discontinued operations   25 321   25 321  
Other comprehensive income from discontinued operations   —   —  
Total comprehensive income from discontinued operations   25 321   25 321  
Profit for the period attributable to:  25 321   25 321  
Equity holders of the parent  25 321   25 321  
Non-controlling interest  —   —  
Total comprehensive income for the period attributable to:  25 321  25 321 
Equity holders of the parent  25 321   25 321  
Non-controlling interest  —   —  
  VAS Operations 
1 June 2019 – 
30 April 2020 
R�000 		 3G Mobile 
1 June 2019 – 
14 February 
2020 
R�000 		 WiConnect 
1 June 2019 – 
31 May 2020 
R�000 		 Total 
2020 
R�000 
Revenue and other income  413 421  1 553 611  287 298  2 254 330 
Expenses  (257 594) (1 477 988) (539 978) (2 275 560)
Other gains/(losses)*  110 149  (26 346) (45 587) 38 216 
Profit/(loss) before taxation  265 976  49 277  (298 267) 16 986 
Taxation  (40 114) (19 174) (20 202) (79 490)
Profit/(loss) after taxation of discontinued operations   225 862  30 103  (318 469) (62 504)
(Loss)/gain on sale of the subsidiary after income tax (see below) (43 022) 43 550  —  528 
Profit/(loss) from discontinued operation   182 840  73 653  (318 469) (61 976)
Exchange differences on translation of discontinued operations  34 558  —  —  34 558 
Reclassification of foreign currency translation reserve  (48 508) (5 027) —  (53 535)
Other comprehensive income from discontinued operations   (13 950) (5 027) —  (18 977)
Total comprehensive income/ (loss) from discontinued operations   168 890  68 626  (318 469) (80 953)
Profit/(loss) for the period attributable to:  182 840  73 653  (318 469) (61 976)
Equity holders of the parent  142 511  73 653  (318 469) (102 305)
Non-controlling interest  40 329  —  —  40 329 
Total comprehensive income/ (loss) for the period attributable to:   168 890  68 626  (318 469) (80 953)
Equity holders of the parent  115 468  68 626  (318 469) (134 375)
Non-controlling interest  53 422  —  —  53 422 
* Reconciliation of other losses is shown on the next page.

 

 
 		   VAS Operations 
1 June 2019 – 
30 April 2020 
R�000 		 3G Mobile 1 June 2019 –  
14 February  
2020  
R�000 		 WiConnect 1 June 2019 –  
31 May 2020  
R�000 		 Total 
2020 
R�000 
Goodwill impairments of disposal groups and discontinued operation recognised1  (26 886) (26 346) (45 587) (98 819)
Derecognition of put option liability on the effective date of VAS Operations disposal2  214 559  —  —  214 559 
Recognition of derivative liability to the extent that the exercise price does not represent the fair value of the underlying shares2  (77 524) —  —  (77 524)
Other gains/(losses) 110 149  (26 346) (45 587) 38 216 
1 

In line with the requirements of IFRS 5, management performed an assessment to measure the disposal groups classified as held-for- sale at the lower of their carrying amount and fair value less cost to sell with the following conclusions being reached:

  • VAS Operations: Fair value less cost to sell was determined based on the selling price as per the VAS Operations sales agreement. The determination of the fair value of the contingent consideration included in the selling price involved significant management judgement. For further information in this regard, refer to the information under �Critical accounting judgements and assumptions�. The impairment losses of R26.9 million arising from measuring the VAS Operations at the lower of its carrying value and fair value less costs to sell after taking into account loan claims to which the proceeds would first be applied to have been recorded in the �Profit from discontinued operation� line item within the Group statement of comprehensive income.
  • 3G Mobile: Fair value less cost to sell was determined based on the selling price of R544 million as per the 3G Mobile sales agreement. The impairment losses of R26.3 million arising from measuring 3G Mobile at the lower of its carrying value and fair value less costs to sell have been recorded in the �Profit from discontinued operation� line item within the Group statement of comprehensive income.
  • WiConnect: As the operations have ceased in their entirety, all of the goodwill attributable to the entity was impaired with the impairment losses recorded in the �Profit from discontinued operation� line item within the Group statement of comprehensive income.
2  This relates to the put options for the acquisition of the remaining 40% minority interest in Airvantage and AV Technology. Prior to entering into the VAS Operations disposal transaction, Blue Label accounted for the put options held by both the non-controlling shareholders in Airvantage and AV Technology. This was in line with IAS 32 paragraph 23 that requires an entity with an obligation to purchase its own equity instruments (i.e. Airvantage and AV Technology were consolidated by Blue Label, as their shares were Blue Label�s own equity instruments from a consolidated Blue Label perspective) for cash or another financial asset, to recognise such obligation as a financial liability. 
 

Following Blue Label�s disposal of the VAS Operations, the terms of the put option over the equity instruments in Airvantage and AV Technology have been substantially modified. In accordance with IFRS 9 this is accounted for as an extinguishment of the original put option liability and a new financial liability is recognised (derivative instrument). The resultant movement in profit or loss in included within the �Profit from discontinued operations� line item within the Group statement of comprehensive income.

Blue Label still has an obligation to acquire the shares should the non-controlling shareholders put the shares to it. As a result thereof, Blue Label recognised a derivative instrument, taking the following into consideration:

  • the value of the instrument fluctuates in response to a change in the fair value of Airvantage and AV Technology;
  • no initial net investment was required; and
  • the put option may have been exercised by the 40% minority shareholders during the 90-day period following signature of the 31 May 2020 audited results. The call option may be exercised by Blue Label for a period of 90 days after the put option expires.

The derivative financial instrument is measured at fair value through profit or loss. The amount at which the put and call options may be exercised is contractually determined based on the 31 May 2020 audited results at a six times net profit after tax multiple. Should the exercise price not represent the fair value of the underlying shares, an element of the derivative instrument would have value and as such would be recognised in Blue Label�s financial statements. The determination of the extent to which the exercise price does not represent the fair value of the underlying shares involved significant management judgement. For further information in this regard, refer to �Critical accounting judgements and assumptions�.

 

    WiConnect 
1 June 2020 – 
31 May 2021 
R�000 		 Total 
2021 
R�000 
Net cash inflow from ordinary activities  4 941   4 941  
Net cash inflow from investing activities  530   530  
Net increase in cash generated by the discontinued operations  5 471   5 471  
VAS  
Operations  
2020  
R�000 		 3G Mobile  
2020  
R�000 		 WiConnect  
2020  
R�000 		 Total 
2020 
R�000 
Net cash inflow from ordinary activities  172 623  194 913  166 365  533 901 
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing activities  183 152  (129 525) (61 519) (7 892)
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities  (279 568) 2 336  (105 230) (382 462)
Net increase in cash generated/ (utilised) by the discontinued operations  76 207  67 724  (384) 143 547 
Details of the sale of subsidiaries
  VAS  
Operations  
2020  
R�000 		 3G Mobile  
2020  
R�000 		 Total 2020 R�000 
Consideration received or receivable: 
Cash  350 000  544 000  894 000 
Loan claims settled from cash  (44 626) —  (44 626)
Fair value of contingent consideration*  71 967  —  71 967 
Total disposal consideration  377 341  544 000  921 341 
Carrying amount of net assets attributable to equity holders of the parent sold  468 871  505 477  974 348 
(Loss)/gain on sale before income tax and reclassification of foreign currency translation reserve   (91 530) 38 523  (53 007)
Income tax expense on (loss)/gain  —  —  — 
Reclassification of foreign currency translation reserve  48 508  5 027  53 535 
(Loss)/gain on sale after income tax   (43 022) 43 550  528 

* The determination of the fair value of the contingent consideration of R72 million involved significant management judgement. For further information in this regard refer to the information under �Critical accounting judgements and assumptions�.

The carrying amounts of assets and liabilities as at the date of sale (30 April 2020 for VAS Operations and 14 February 2020 for 3G Mobile) were:

  VAS  
Operations  
R�000 		 3G Mobile  
R�000 		 Total 
R�000 
Property, plant and equipment  11 076  7 655  18 731 
Right-of-use assets  11 892  1 802  13 694 
Intangible assets  346 373  80 852  427 225 
Goodwill  234 560  25 731  260 291 
Investments in and loans to associates and joint ventures  26 101  —  26 101 
Loans receivable  15 844  172 494  188 338 
Trade and other receivables  207 498  289 390  496 888 
Deferred taxation assets  1 342  9 771  11 113 
Inventories  78  110 507  110 585 
Financial asset at fair value through profit or loss  112  390  502 
Current tax assets  694  622  1 316 
Cash and cash equivalents  110 361  85 304  195 665 
Total assets   965 931  784 518  1 750 449 
Deferred taxation liabilities  86 394  22 092  108 486 
Lease liabilities  13 602  1 764  15 366 
Borrowings  53 815  724  54 539 
Trade and other payables  157 030  241 143  398 173 
Provisions  —  5 430  5 430 
Current tax liabilities  29 565  7 888  37 453 
Total liabilities   340 406  279 041  619 447 
Net assets attributable to:   625 525  505 477  1 131 002 
Equity holders of the parent  468 871  505 477  974 348 
Non-controlling interest  156 654  —  156 654 

Critical accounting judgements and assumptions

Fair value of the contingent consideration receivable

As explained under �Financial performance and cash flow information�, management performed an exercise in terms of IFRS 5 under which the fair value less cost to sell was estimated for the VAS Operations. The fair value of the VAS Operations was determined using the fair value of the selling price. Since the ultimate consideration realised for the VAS Operations will depend partly on whether Cell C�s solvency and liquidity is proven, and if not, it will depend partly on the value of 24% of the shares in Airvantage and AV Technology, the determination of the fair value of the contingent consideration included in the selling price involved significant management judgement and, accordingly, is a level 3 input per the fair value hierarchy.

The fair value was determined using a probability weighted basis which reflects the extent to which management believes that Cell C�s solvency and liquidity will be proven, as well as management�s estimate of the fair value of 24% of Airvantage and AV Technology:

  Solvency and    
liquidity of Cell C    
is proven    		 Solvency and 
liquidity of Cell C 
remains unproven 
Cash consideration  R450 million     R350 million 
Fair value of 24% of the issued share capital of Airvantage and AV Technologies  R0*   R43 million 
Total fair value   R450 million     R393 million 
Attributed probability percentage  51%**  49% 
Weighted average fair value of total consideration receivable   R422 million 
Fair value of the contingent consideration receivable   R72 million 
*  Not applicable as the R100 million contingent purchase consideration will be received should the solvency and liquidity of Cell C be proven. 
**  Refer to note 2 �Critical accounting judgement and assumptions� section (e) �Going concern of Cell C� for the factors that management considered in determining the 51% probability. 

The contingent consideration of the sales price is based on the fair value of the 24% of Airvantage and AV Technology. The fair value of 24% of Airvantage and AV Technology was determined taking into account the adverse impact on Airvantage�s operations, should the solvency and liquidity of Cell C remain unproven, since the Airvantage business is largely dependent on Cell C. It has been assumed that Airvantage would not continue to trade and hence no value has been attributed to its 24% share capital. The fair value of 24% of AV Technologies� share capital is estimated to be R43 million which was determined with reference to its contribution to the total profit of the VAS Operations applied to the total selling price as per the VAS Operations sales agreement, i.e. should the purchase price have been split between the relevant entities 24% of AV Technologies� share capital would have been attributed R43 million. This remained constant from initial recognition to subsequent measurement at year-end as the purchase consideration has remained unchanged and the operations and results of the underlying entities upon which the valuation is based have remained largely unchanged.

Should management have attributed a 100% probability to the solvency and liquidity of Cell C being proven, the contingent consideration�s fair value would be R100 million. Conversely, should management have attributed a 0% probability to the solvency and liquidity of Cell C being proven, the contingent consideration�s fair value would be R43 million.

WiConnect discontinued operation considerations

Paragraph 13 of IFRS 5 states that, if a disposal group meets the discontinued operation criteria, the cash flows and results of the disposal group should be presented as discontinued operations at the date on which it ceases to be used. In considering whether the operations of WiConnect have �ceased to be used�, management considered that as at year-end, and for some time prior, WiConnect�s retail stores had ceased trading (even during the periods of the national lockdown where trading was permissible). Furthermore, all inventory had been transferred to a central warehouse, cash collected and swept from stores and affected staff informed of their retrenchment. Additionally, all landlords to the WiConnect retail stores were also informed prior to year-end of the intention to cease all operations. Therefore, while there are still run-off costs to be incurred (which have been provided for in terms of restructuring provisions, refer to note 4.5 for further detail) and assets to be sold and scrapped, these are elements of the closing down of the WiConnect operations. Based on this, together with the fact that inventory has been written down to its net realisable value and sold to one buyer, it is management�s contention that the operations are not ongoing and that the inflows and outflows which are still to occur do not comprise an activity. Based on these facts and circumstances, management applied its judgement and has concluded that the operations of WiConnect have �ceased to be used�.

Management applied further significant judgement in determining whether the operations of WiConnect met the discontinued operations criteria as at year-end. More specifically, management needed to consider whether WiConnect may be classified as a separate major line of business. Under IFRS 8, reportable segments could comprise more than one business segment. Therefore, the fact that WiConnect does not form its own reportable segment (it is included in the Africa Distribution segment) does not preclude it from being considered a major line of business. Executive management and chief operating decision-makers consider WiConnect to be a separate major line of business as a result of several considerations, namely that it was brick-and-mortar retail (or physical stores owned and operated by the Group) directly interacting with clients in the retail space through our own channels/stores selling hardware and other value-added services directly to consumers. This, coupled with the loss after tax of R318 million (which is considered to be material in the context of the overall Group results for the year ended 31 May 2020), led to management applying its judgement in concluding that WiConnect is a separate major line of business and consequently meets the definition of a discontinued operation.

Derivative liability fair value

As explained under �Financial performance and cash flow information�, significant management judgement was applied in determining the extent that the exercise price does not represent the fair value of the underlying shares. The amount at which the put and call options may be exercised is contractually determined based on the 31 May 2020 audited results at a six times net profit after tax multiple. This formula has been used in determining the total value of the put option liability. As the VAS operations disposal group (which included Airvantage and AV Technology) was sold at a similar net profit after tax multiple, the multiple is deemed to be representative of a fair market multiple to be used in calculating the value of the shares. However, management has taken into account the adverse impact on Airvantage�s operations should the solvency and liquidity of Cell C remain unproven, since the Airvantage business is largely dependent on Cell C. Therefore the derivative has been measured at the difference between the fair value of Airvantage and the exercise price of the put option. Accordingly, these inputs are level 3 inputs per the fair value hierarchy. The same facts and circumstances were taken into account in this critical accounting judgement as were taken into account in the �Fair value of the contingent consideration receivable� assessment above, with management concluding the following:

Total value of Airvantage put option liability on 30 April 2020 (A) 158 213 
Attributed probability percentage of the solvency and liquidity of Cell C remaining unproven (B) 49% 
Extent that the exercise price does not represent the fair value of the underlying shares (A x B)   77 524 

Should management have attributed a 100% probability to the solvency and liquidity of Cell C being proven, the entire put option would have been considered to be at value and, as such, no liability would have been recognised. Conversely, should management have attributed a 0% probability to the solvency and liquidity of Cell C being proven, the entirety of the portion of the put option related to Airvantage would have been considered to not be at value and, as such, a liability of R158 million would have been recognised. The put option over the shares of AV Technology is considered to be at fair value as the operations and results of the entity upon which the valuation is based have remained largely unchanged and six times net profit multiple is consistent with the earnings multiple at which the shares in the entity have been disposed of.