Billionaire businessman Patrice Motsepe and a number of other firms linked to him have turned to South African courts as a Tanzanian Excessive Courtroom prepares to rule in a long-running mining dispute, in response to courtroom filings and statements from the opposing get together.
On the heart of the case is a declare by Pula Group, a U.S.-based mining firm, that Motsepe and associated corporations breached a confidentiality settlement signed in 2019. Pula alleges that info shared below that settlement was later used to again a rival graphite mission in Tanzania’s Ruangwa area. Motsepe and the businesses deny the allegations.
ARC seeks pressing industrial courtroom listening to
In August 2025, African Rainbow Capital (ARC), Motsepe’s funding agency, requested the Johannesburg Excessive Courtroom—ex parte—to permit service of courtroom papers by edictal quotation, a way used when a celebration’s location is unknown.
In December, ARC requested that the case be treated as a commercial matter and heard urgently. Pula mentioned the timing is notable, with a Tanzanian courtroom anticipated to set a trial date quickly on its $195 million damages declare. Different respondents named by Pula embrace Motsepe, African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) and ARCH Sustainable Sources.
Pula sues over 2019 NDA breach
Pula filed the case in 2023, saying the 2019 non-disclosure settlement gave Motsepe’s firms entry to confidential mission information throughout talks a couple of potential partnership. No deal was reached. In October 2022, Pula mentioned it discovered that ARCH, a non-public fairness fund during which Motsepe has a big curiosity, had invested in a neighboring graphite mission owned by Australia’s Evolution Vitality Minerals.
Motsepe has beforehand described Pula’s claims as “baseless and nonsensical,” saying he doesn’t recall seeing the confidential materials. ARC has mentioned it’s not sure by the settlement, which it says utilized solely to ARM.
Motsepe events hit Tanzania courtroom hurdle
Based in 1997, ARM at this time is one among South Africa’s largest diversified mining firms. Patrice Motsepe, with a web value of $3.9 billion in response to Forbes, owns a forty five p.c stake. His wider holdings are managed by way of African Rainbow Capital (ARC).
Jurisdiction points have held up the authorized dispute between Motsepe and Pula for almost two years. Pula claims the Motsepe events sought to maneuver the case to South Africa after setbacks in Tanzania. Solely ARC submitted a protection in Dar es Salaam.
In July 2024, the Tanzanian Excessive Courtroom dominated that Motsepe, ARM, and ARCH misplaced standing after lacking a previous listening to. A default judgment software by Pula has been granted and is awaiting a ruling. Pula mentioned makes an attempt by the Motsepe events to rejoin the case had been rejected, prompting filings in South Africa. ARC, which delisted from the JSE final 12 months, argues that South African courts have jurisdiction. ARM and ARC didn’t reply to requests for remark.
