• the amount not exceeding the fair values of identified non-monetary assets is recognised over the remaining average useful life of identifiable acquired depreciable or amortisable assets;
• the amount in excess of the fair values of these assets is recognised in income immediately.

On disposal of a subsidiary, associate or joint venture the attributable amount of unamortised goodwill is included in the determination of the profit or loss on disposal.

5. JOINT VENTURES

Joint ventures are those entities which are not subsidiaries and over which the group exercises joint control.

Joint control is the contractually arranged sharing of control over an economic activity.

Joint ventures are accounted for using the proportionate consolidation method, whereby the group’s share of each of the assets, liabilities, income, expenses and cash flows of joint ventures are included on a line-by-line basis in the consolidated annual financial statements.

Intergroup transactions with joint ventures are accounted for as follows:

On sales made by the rest of the group to the joint venture, where the asset is returned by it, only that portion of the gain attributable to the other venturers is recognised. Where the sale is made at a loss, the full loss is recognised immediately.

Where sales are made by the joint venture to the rest of the group, no profits made by the joint venture are recognised in the group accounts until the asset has been sold to an independent party.

Any difference between the cost of the acquisition and the group’s share of the net identifiable assets, fairly valued, is recognised and treated according to the group’s accounting policy for goodwill.

6. ASSOCIATE COMPANIES

Associate companies are those companies in which investments are held which provide the group with the power to exercise significant influence over the financial and operating policies of those companies, but are not considered to be joint ventures.

Associate companies are accounted for by the equity method from their audited or unaudited financial statements to 30 September. Post-acquisition earnings and reserves retained by associate companies are transferred to nondistributable reserves.

7. INVESTMENTS

All investments are initially recognised at cost, which includes transaction costs. After initial recognition investments held for trading and those available for sale are measured at their fair values. The following categories of investments are measured at amortised cost using the investment rate method if they have a fixed maturity or at cost if there is no fixed maturity:

• loans and receivables originated by Reunert and not held for trading;
• held to maturity financial assets where the group has the ability and intention to hold the instrument to maturity; and
• investments in financial assets that do not have a quoted market price in an active market and whose fair value cannot be reliably measured.

The carrying values are reduced by any impairment losses recognised to reflect irrecoverable amounts.

8. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost to the group less accumulated depreciation. Major improvements to existing buildings, plant and equipment are capitalised.

When the recoverable amount of an asset has declined below its carrying amount, the carrying amount is reduced to reflect the decline in value. In determining the recoverable amount of assets, expected cash flows are discounted to their present values.

Investment properties are depreciated. The group defines investment properties as those held to earn rentals or for capital appreciation or both. Where market conditions indicate a permanent decline in value, these properties are written down to this value.

Depreciation is calculated on cost over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The methods and rates used are determined by conditions in the relevant industry.

9. CAPITALISATION OF LEASED ASSETS

Assets subject to financial lease agreements, where considered material and where the group assumes substantially all the benefits and risks of ownership, are capitalised at the fair value of the leased assets and the corresponding liability raised.

The cost of the assets is depreciated at appropriate rates on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets.

Finance costs, which represent the difference between the total leasing commitments and the fair value of the assets acquired, are charged to the income statement over the term of the relevant lease so as to produce a constant periodic rate of charge on the remaining balance of the obligations for each accounting period.

Rentals payable under the operating leases are charged to income on a straight-line basis over the term of the relevant lease.

10. INVENTORY AND CONTRACTS IN PROGRESS

Inventory is stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. The basis of determining cost is mainly the first-in first-out basis. The values of finished goods and work in progress include direct costs and relevant overhead expenditure.

Redundant and slow-moving inventory is identified and written down with regard to its estimated economic or realisable value. Consumables are written down with regard to their age, condition and utility.

Contracts in progress are valued at the lower of actual cost less progress invoicing and net realisable value. Cost comprises direct materials, labour, expenses and a proportion of overhead expenditure.

11. DEFERRED TAXATION

The charge for taxation is based on the results for the year as adjusted for items which are non-taxable or disallowed. Deferred tax is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method. Temporary differences arise from differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of assessable tax profit. Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for all taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilised. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the temporary difference arises from goodwill, to the extent that it is not deductible for tax purposes or from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities which affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit at the time of the transaction.

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries and associates, and interests in joint ventures, except where the group is able to control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realised or the liability is settled. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the income statement, except when it relates to items credited or charged directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the group intends to settle its current assets and liabilities on a net basis.

12. REVENUE RECOGNITION

Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods are transferred to the buyer, while revenue from services is recognised when the services are rendered.

Where the outcome of a construction contract can be reliably estimated, revenue and costs are recognised by reference to the stage of completion of the contract activity at the balance sheet date, as measured by the proportion that the contract costs incurred for work performed to date bear to the estimated total contract costs. Variations in contract work, claims and incentive payments are included to the extent that they have been agreed with the customer.

Where the outcome of a construction contract cannot be reliably estimated, contract revenue is recognised to the extent that contract costs incurred will be recoverable. Contract costs are recognised as expenses in the period in which they are incurred.

When it is probable that total contract costs will exceed total contract revenue, the expected loss is recognised immediately.

Dividends are recognised when the shareholder’s right to receive them has been established.

Capitalisation share awards are included in dividend income in the income statement.

Interest is recognised on the time proportion basis, taking account of the principal amount outstanding and the effective rates over the period to maturity.

13. REVENUE

Revenue comprises net invoiced sales to customers, rental from leasing fixed and moveable properties, commission and interest earned and excludes value added tax.

14. FOREIGN CURRENCIES

14.1 FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
Transactions in foreign currencies are accounted for at the rates of exchange ruling on the dates of the transactions. Gains and losses arising from the settlement of such transactions are recognised in the income statement.

14.2 FOREIGN CURRENCY BALANCES
Foreign monetary assets and liabilities of South African companies are translated into South African rand at rates ruling at 30 September.

Unrealised differences on foreign monetary assets and liabilities are recognised in the income statement in the period in which they occur.

14.3 FOREIGN ENTITIES
Financial statements of foreign subsidiaries are translated into South African rand as follows:

• assets and liabilities at rates of exchange ruling at the group’s financial year-end;
• income, expenditure and cash flow items at the weighted average rates of exchange during the financial year.

Differences arising on translation are reflected in non-distributable reserves.

Goodwill and fair value adjustments are considered to relate to the foreign entity.

15. BORROWING COSTS

Interest on borrowings raised specifically to finance the construction of qualifying assets to prepare them for sale or use, is capitalised as part of the cost of these assets up to the date that the assets are substantially ready for their intended use or sale. Investment income earned on the temporary investment of specific borrowings, pending their expenditure on qualifying assets, is deducted from borrowing costs capitalised.

All other borrowing costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred.

16. PROVISIONS

A provision is raised when a reliable estimate can be made of a present obligation, resulting from a past event, which will probably result in an outflow of resources, and there is no realistic alternative to settling the obligation created by the event, which occurred before the balance sheet date.

17. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Financial instruments carried on the balance sheet include cash and bank balances, investments, receivables, trade creditors, borrowings and derivative instruments. Financial instruments are initially measured at cost. Details of the subsequent measurement of different classes of financial instruments are dealt with below and in the relevant notes above.

Cash and cash equivalents are measured at fair value.

Trade and other receivables are stated at their nominal value as reduced by appropriate allowances for estimated irrecoverable amounts.

Derivative financial instruments, principally forward foreign exchange contracts and interest rate swap agreements, are used by the group in its management of financial risks. The risks being hedged by the forward foreign exchange contracts are exchange losses due to unfavourable movements between the rand and the foreign currency. Gains and losses from the cash flow hedges are recognised directly in equity, while gains and losses arising from fair value hedges are recognised in net profit or loss. The risks being hedged by interest rate swaps are increases in interest expenses due to higher interest rates being charged on borrowings. Gains and losses arising from the changes in the fair values of interest rate swaps are recognised in net profit or loss as they arise.

In accordance with its treasury policy, the group does not hold or issue derivative instruments for trading purposes. Derivative instruments are initially measured at cost, if any, and are subsequently remeasured to fair value.

Financial liabilities, other than derivative instruments are recognised at amortised cost, comprising original debt less principal payments and amortisations.

Financial liabilities are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. Debt instruments issued, which carry the right to convert to equity that is dependant on the outcome of uncertainties beyond the control of both the group and the holder, are classified as liabilities except where the possibility of conversion is certain.

Financial liabilities include interest-bearing bank loans and overdrafts and trade and other payables.

Interest-bearing bank loans and overdrafts are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs. Trade and other payables are stated at their nominal value.

Gains and losses arising from the remeasurement to fair value of financial instruments that are not available for sale financial assets are recognised in net profit or loss. Unrealised gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of available for sale financial assets that are measured at fair value subsequent to initial recognition are recognised directly in equity until the disposal or impairment of the financial instrument at which time the cumulative gain or loss previously recognised in equity is included in the net profit or loss for the period.

18. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Research and development expenditure is charged to operating profit in the year in which it is incurred.

19. ABNORMAL ITEMS

Abnormal items are items of income or expense that arise from ordinary activities but are of such size, nature or incidence that they are separately disclosed in order to best reflect the group’s performance.

20. EXTRAORDINARY ITEMS

Extraordinary items are income or expenses that arise from events or transactions that are clearly distinct from the ordinary activities of the group and therefore are not expected to occur frequently or regularly. The following two events give rise to extraordinary items:

• the expropriation of assets;
• an earthquake or other natural disaster.

21. RETIREMENT BENEFIT COSTS

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit plans are charged as an expense as they fall due. Payments made to state-managed retirement benefit schemes are dealt with as defined contribution plans where the group’s obligations under the schemes are equivalent to those arising in a defined contribution retirement benefit plan.

For defined benefit retirement plans, the cost of providing benefits is determined using the projected unit credit method, with actuarial valuations being carried out at each balance sheet date. Actuarial gains and losses which exceed 10% of the greater of the present value of the group’s pension obligations and the fair value of plan assets are amortised over the expected average remaining working lives of the participating employees. Past service cost is recognised immediately to the extent that the benefits are already vested, and otherwise is amortised on a straight-line basis over the average period until the amended benefits become vested.

The amount recognised in the balance sheet represents the present value of the defined benefit obligation as adjusted for unrecognised actuarial gains and losses and unrecognised past service cost, and reduced by the fair value of plan assets. Any asset resulting from this calculation is limited to unrecognised actuarial losses and past service cost, plus the present value of available refunds and reductions in future contributions to the plan.

22. INFLATION ACCOUNTING

At present inflation is at historically low levels which means that any distortion caused by inflation is likely to be minimal. In addition, conventionally prepared financial statements still form the basis upon which business decisions are made and the yardstick by which companies are judged. Until a method of accounting for the effect of changing prices is developed which is meaningful, standardised, generally accepted and of benefit to users of financial statements, the group prefers to refrain from any attempt to disclose such effect.