Listed property loan stock company ApexHi Properties says the responsibilities of its empowerment partner, Isivuno Apex, have been expanded to include handling the leases of all its government-tenanted buildings. The role of Isivuno, which was formed in August last year and is 100% owned by property player Dumisani Mene, was initially to manage a R500m property portfolio owned by ApexHi in Pretoria. By managing this specific portfolio, Isivuno was to handle all lease negotiations with government tenants.

The unit price of Madison Property Fund Managers, the first property asset management company to list on the JSE - in June last year - has increased about 60% since it first listed.

APEXHI Properties, the second- largest property company on the JSE with a market capitalisation of R9,3bn, said yesterday it had acquired three industrial properties from Investec for R245m.

ApexHi has acquired three industrial properties from Investec for R245-million, bringing the total number of industrial properties purchased since 1 July 2006 to 10, valued at R327,5-million.

The market can expect to see even more consolidation in the South African listed property sector this year, with bigger players acquiring smaller companies and friendly mergers between others.

In a surprise turn of events, ApexHi Properties’ new C units, which were introduced on to the JSE’s main board six weeks ago, have doubled in value in the first month of trading.

APEXHI Properties yesterday announced another empowerment transaction that will see a black-owned and managed company administering and managing a R400m office portfolio belonging to the listed property loan stock company.

Redefine distribution surges on higher-yielding portfolio.

Vukile Property Fund has made a firm offer to acquire the remaining 25% stake in MICC Property Income Fund that it does not already own.

Growthpoint Properties says it has disposed of a significant portion of its listed property investment portfolio for a total consideration of R671 million