Statement re Absa

Barclays PLC
07 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')

RECOMMENDED ACQUISITION UNCONDITIONAL IN EVERY RESPECT

Shareholders are referred to the Finalisation Date announcement which was
released on SENS at 12:34 earlier this afternoon regarding Barclays proposed
acquisition of up to 60% of the Absa ordinary shares at R82.50 per share (the
'Recommended Acquisition').

Shareholders are advised that the Order of Court sanctioning the Scheme has been
registered by the Registrar of Companies and the last of the conditions
precedent has been fulfilled.

The Recommended Acquisition is unconditional in every respect.

Johannesburg
7 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



                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange