Tribunal approves Chery's acquisition of Nissan's Rosslyn manufacturing plant

The Competition Tribunal (“Tribunal”) has approved, subject to public interest conditions relating to employment and local procurement, a merger that will see Chery International (Pty) Ltd (“Chery SA”) acquire the assets of Nissan South Africa (Pty) Ltd’s vehicle manufacturing plant in Rosslyn, Gauteng. Following the transaction’s implementation, Chery SA will control the manufacturing plant.

The transaction paves the way for Chery to begin manufacturing vehicles in South Africa for the first time, from the Rosslyn facility, following Nissan’s decision to exit vehicle manufacturing in South Africa.

Chery SA forms part of a broader group that develops, manufactures and exports passenger and commercial vehicles globally, including sport utility vehicles (SUVs), sedans and new energy vehicles for markets in more than 80 countries. In South Africa, the group currently imports and distributes Chery-branded passenger vehicles and provides aftermarket services through Chery SA. It also sells certified pre-owned vehicles. Chery intends to manufacture certain SUV models locally, while continuing to import other vehicle models into the country.

The Rosslyn manufacturing plant was previously used by Nissan South Africa to produce Nissan Navara bakkies. In January 2026, Nissan announced that it would exit vehicle manufacturing in South Africa.

 

Tribunal approves Abacus acquisition of Hollard life and non-life insurance portfolios

The Tribunal has unconditionally approved a merger in which:

  • Abacus Life Ltd ("Abacus Life") intends to acquire various life insurance policies (“Hollard Life Insurance Portfolio”) from Hollard Life Assurance Company Ltd ("HLAC"); and
  • Abacus Insurance Ltd ("Abacus Insurance") intends to acquire various non-life insurance policies (“Hollard Non-Life Insurance Portfolio”) from the Hollard Insurance Company Ltd ("HIC").

Following the merger’s implementation, Abacus Life and Abacus Insurance will exercise sole control over the respective insurance portfolios.

Abacus Life and Abacus Insurance are wholly owned subsidiaries of Abacus Holdco (Pty) Ltd (“Abacus Holdco”), the acquiring group’s in-house insurance business, which provides life and non-life insurance products exclusively to the group’s retail and credit customers. Abacus Life underwrites credit life and funeral policies, while Abacus Insurance underwrites consumer credit, property, liability and other non-life insurance products.  

The Hollard Pepkor portfolio of life and non-life insurance policies, underwritten by the Hollard Group, include funeral insurance and gadget insurance for portable devices such as mobile phones and laptops. The policies were marketed and distributed to customers of the Pepkor Group, including PEP and Ackermans, with the Abacus group providing marketing, distribution, premium collection and administrative support.

Although the Pep and Ackermans insurance portfolios have been discontinued and no new policies are being issued, the existing policies remain in force and continue to be administered.

 

NAD Property Income Fund secures Tribunal approval to acquire Kalahari Village Mall

The Tribunal has unconditionally approved a merger in which NAD Property Income Fund (Pty) Ltd (“NAD Property Income Fund”) will acquire the Kalahari Village Mall from Kalahari Village Mall (Pty) Ltd (“Kalahari Village”). Following implementation of the transaction, NAD Property Income Fund will exercise sole control over the Kalahari Village Mall.

NAD Property Income Fund forms part of a group involved in property investment, asset management and property leasing activities throughout South Africa. Relevant to the transaction is the group’s retail property portfolio, which includes regional shopping malls and a community centre located in Gauteng and Mpumalanga.

Kalahari Village Mall is a minor regional shopping centre located in Upington, in the Northern Cape. It operates as a rental enterprise.