Afrimat CEO Criticizes Slow Merger Approvals After Lafarge Acquisition

Deal News | Jun 17, 2025 | EIN

Afrimat's CEO, Van Heerden, criticized the slow approval process for mergers and acquisitions in South Africa, as the company faced delays in obtaining the Competition Tribunal's final decision on its Lafarge acquisition. The deal involved complex asset sales as conditions for approval, which included selling quarries and concrete operations. Despite the challenges and financial impacts, Afrimat focused on improving its newly acquired assets and optimizing its cement business. Remgro CEO Jannie Durand also expressed frustration over regulatory delays impacting the merger between Vodacom and CIVH, highlighting ongoing legal challenges and deadline extensions. Both companies navigate regulatory hurdles while focusing on operational improvements.

Sectors

Construction and Building Materials
Telecommunications
Mining

Geography

South Africa – The article discusses the regulatory environment and business activities involving Afrimat and Remgro, which are based in South Africa.

Industry

Construction and Building Materials – Afrimat is engaged in construction materials through its acquisition of Lafarge’s operations which include quarries and ready-mix batching plants.
Telecommunications – Remgro's involvement in the merger with Vodacom places it in the telecommunications sector.
Mining – Afrimat's dealings with its Nkomati Anthracite Mine associates the company with the mining sector.

Financials

Participants

Name	Role	Type	Description
Afrimat	Buyer	Company	Afrimat is acquiring operations from Lafarge, including quarries and cement facilities, subject to conditions.
Lafarge	Seller	Company	Selling certain assets to Afrimat under regulatory conditions.
Remgro	Company	Company	Remgro is pursuing a merger through its shareholding in CIVH with Vodacom, facing regulatory challenges.
Vodacom	Merger Participant	Company	Involved in a merger process with Remgro's CIVH that is facing regulatory delays.
Competition Commission of South Africa	Regulatory Authority	Government	Responsible for evaluating and approving mergers and acquisitions in South Africa.
Competition Tribunal of South Africa	Regulatory Authority	Government	Provides final decisions on the approval of M&A deals, affecting companies like Afrimat and Remgro.