Sentula to recover part of R383m damages suit

SENTULA Mining has identified assets that could be sold to recover some of the R383 million in civil damages being sought from a former director, the first significant progress in the case since the amount was awarded more than six years ago, according to a person familiar with the matter.

It’s not yet clear how much of the money can be recouped, the person said, asking not to be identified as the information hasn’t been publicly announced. The shares have rallied 31 percent this month.

The total amount sought in the litigation is almost equivalent to the Johannesburg-based company’s market value of R397m and comes as Sentula prepares to transform from a contract-mining company to an investment-holdings firm.

After making losses for five straight years, Sentula is selling assets to raise funds for acquisitions as part of the overhaul, with its name expected to change to Unicorn Capital Partners after a shareholder vote next month.

Sentula won a civil suit in the South Gauteng High Court in November 2010 seeking R88m from Casper Scharrighuisen for defrauding the company.

A judgment for another R171m plus interest of R124magainst the former director was made in May 2011.

The company said on March 31 that it has instituted legal proceedings in the Netherlands, the British Virgin Islands and Curaçao to locate and secure Scharrighuisen’s assets.

Attempts to locate a contact number for Scharrighuisen weren’t successful.

The stock has rallied 62 percent this year.