Statement re Absa

Barclays PLC
05 July 2005



Absa Group Limited
(Registration number 1986/003934/06)
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
JSE share code: ASA
ISIN: ZAE000013389
('Absa')

Barclays Bank PLC
(Registration number 1026167)
(Incorporated in England)
('Barclays')

POSTPONEMENT OF COURT HEARING


1. Introduction

Shareholders are referred to the joint announcements released on 9 May 2005
and 21 June 2005, the SENS announcement released on 4 July 2005 and the
circular to shareholders dated 20 May 2005 (the 'Circular') regarding the
Barclays proposed acquisition of up to 60% of the Absa ordinary shares at
R82.50 per share (the 'Recommended Acquisition'). Shareholders are reminded
that the Recommended Acquisition is being effected through two
inter-conditional processes:

(i)  the scheme of arrangement proposed by Barclays between Absa and the Absa 
     Ordinary Shareholders, excluding the Absa Group Limited Share Incentive 
     Scheme Trust and the Barclays Group (save to the extent that members of 
     that group may hold Absa Ordinary Shares on behalf of third parties), 
     pursuant to which Barclays will acquire 32% of each such Ordinary 
     Shareholder's shares (the 'Scheme'); and

(ii) the partial offer by Barclays to all Absa Ordinary Shareholders and
     Preference Shareholders (together 'Shareholders') to acquire from each
     such Shareholder an additional 28% of his or her shares (the 'Recommended 
     Offer').

Shareholders of Absa are advised that:

* at the meeting held on Monday, 13 June 2005, the requisite majority of
  Absa shareholders approved the Scheme; and

* the Recommended Offer was declared unconditional as to acceptances on
  Monday, 4 July 2005.

2. Postponement of court hearing

At the hearing to sanction the Scheme held today at the High Court of South
Africa (Witwatersrand Local Division) (the 'Court'), three parties raised
opposition to the sanctioning of the Scheme. The Court has postponed the hearing
of the matter until tomorrow (Wednesday, 6 July 2005) to allow more time for the
preparation of arguments. There has been no argument on the merits of the case.
Absa and Barclays remain confident that the Scheme will be sanctioned.

At this stage the timetable of the Recommended Acquisition remains unchanged. If
there is a change to the timetable it will be announced.

For further information, please contact:

Absa Group Limited                      Barclays PLC

Investor Relations                      Investor Relations
Willie Roux                             Mark Merson/James Johnson
[phone]                     [phone]/2927

Media Relations                         Media Relations - London
Nick Cairns                             Chris Tucker
[phone]                     [phone]

                                        Media Relations - Johannesburg
                                        Liz Hooper
                                        [phone]


Johannesburg
5 July 2005

Financial advisors to Absa            Financial advisors to Barclays
Goldman Sachs International           JP Morgan
Merrill Lynch International           Barclays Capital
Absa Corporate & Merchant Bank

Attorneys to Absa                     Attorneys to Barclays
Webber Wentzel Bowens                 Deneys Reitz Inc.

International Attorneys to Absa       International Attorneys to Barclays
Linklaters                            Clifford Chance LLP

Independent Advisor to Absa's Board
N.M. Rothschild

Sponsor to Absa
Merrill Lynch South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Co-sponsor to Absa
Absa Corporate & Merchant Bank

Reporting Accountants to Absa
Ernst & Young
KPMG




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