Proposed Acquisition of Shares in Dennis Service Station in Serowe

The Competition Authority has received a merger notification for the proposed acquisition of an additional 50% of the issued shares in Dennis Service Station (1976) (Pty) Ltd (“Dennis Service Station”) by Gavin Blackbeard (“the purchaser”) from Raymond Barnwell Watson (“the seller”).

The purchaser is a Motswana and shareholder in the target enterprise, Dennis Service Station. Besides his shareholding in Dennis Service Station, Gavin Blackbeard has no other direct or indirect business interest in the relevant market in, into and from Botswana.  Raymond Barnwell Watson, the seller, is a Motswana and owns 50% of the issued shares in Dennis Service Station. Dennis Service Station is a company duly incorporated in accordance with the Laws of Botswana and having operations at Serowe.

Dennis Service Station is a Toyota franchisee and provides the following Toyota products and services: sale of motor vehicles, automotive fuels and lubricants; service and repair of motor vehicles; used vehicle sales; and as a Caltex dealer, the target enterprise sells petroleum products and lubricants. 

According to Section 57(3), of the Competition Act, “any person, including a third party not a party to the proposed merger, may voluntarily submit to the inspector or the Authority any document, affidavit, statement or other relevant information in respect of a proposed merger”. 

The Authority welcomes stakeholder views on the proposed acquisition.