Statement re Absa

Barclays PLC
02 August 2005


                                  BARCLAYS PLC

                                                                   2 August 2005

Shareholders are advised that Absa have today made an announcement set out below
regarding the acquisition by Barclays Bank PLC of further shares in Absa.

Absa Group Limited
(Registration number 1986/003934/06)
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
JSE share code: ASA
ISIN: ZAE000067237
('Absa')

Barclays Bank PLC
(Registered in England)
(Registration number: 1026167)
('Barclays')

DISCLOSURE OF DEALINGS BY BARCLAYS IN ABSA ORDINARY SHARES

On 1 August 2005 Barclays acquired 14 500 000 ordinary shares in the issued
share capital of Absa.

Following this acquisition Barclays now has a 56.1% ordinary share holding in
Absa which, taking into account the voting rights attaching to the redeemable
cumulative option holding preference shares issued by Absa, affords Barclays
voting control of Absa.

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
Errol Smith                             Chris Tucker
[phone]                     [phone]

                                        Media Relations - Johannesburg
                                        Liz Hooper
                                        [phone]
Johannesburg
02 August 2005




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