SCA won’t have to preside over Vodacom, Makate 'Please Call Me' case

The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) will no longer preside over a legal battle involving telecoms giant Vodacom and Please Call Me inventor Nkosana Makate following the signing of a settlement agreement.

The company announced on Wednesday that the parties have reached a settlement after butting heads in court for 17 years.

The legal battle was hinged on the appropriate amount for compensation for the Please Call Me product.

In an online notice, Vodacom has informed its shareholders that the board approved a settlement agreement with Makate and the matter has been settled out of court.

The telecommunications giant did not reveal the amount that was agreed upon, but has informed shareholders that the amount is accounted for in the interim results.

Makate and Vodacom were set to square off once more in the supreme court after the Constitutional Court ruled that the matter return to the appealscourt before a different panel.

Vodacom said a notice has been written to the SCA informing it that it is withdrawing its appeal.

While the company said both parties are glad that finality has been reached, Makate has confirmed the agreement through social media platform X but said it is subject to confidentiality.

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