Black Rock Mining fights for a slice of Makate’s Vodacom payout

EIGHTEEN years of litigation and yet the “Please Call Me” saga has not ended, with a new fight by litigation funders who want a 40% share of Nkosana Kenneth Makate’s Vodacom payout.

- ZELDA VENTER

While the fight with network provider Vodacom for fair compensation for his Please Call Me (PCM) invention came to an end last month when a secret settlement was reached — now said to be in the region of R700 million compensation — Black Rock Mining wants what it says is its share — 40% — of the money.

Makate has subsequently agreed to retain 40% of the money pending the outcome of legal proceedings by Black Rock in the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, to ensure that this money is kept in a trust pending the outcome of arbitration proceedings, set to be heard at a later date.

Black Rock Mining maintains that it is the litigation funder that ensured Makate would triumph over mobile giant Vodacom.

In a statement issued this week, it said it is disappointed that its dispute could not have been settled amicably. It, however, believes legal proceedings will uphold Black Rock Mining’ right to 40% of Makate’s winnings.