Strategic review of Afrox Healthcare

Windlesham, UK, 14 July 2003 -- African Oxygen Limited ("Afrox") has today
issued a cautionary announcement to the JSE Securities Exchange. The
announcement observes that Afrox is in the process of considering its strategic
options with regard to its shareholding in Afrox Healthcare Limited. These
discussions may or may not lead to a change in the shareholding of Afrox in
Afrox Healthcare Limited.

Afrox Managing Director, Rick Hogben, says "Afrox Healthcare is a successful
business and has delivered good returns for Afrox but, as one would expect, the
board continually looks at the markets and businesses in which we operate.

"In terms of good corporate governance, the cautionary announcement was issued
to protect current and prospective investors in both Afrox and Afrox Healthcare
and is not an indication that any corporate action will necessarily flow from
the strategic review process.

"I also want to take this opportunity to assure all doctors and staff in Afrox
Healthcare that we are fully aware of their importance to the company and are
taking that into account in our deliberations."

Afrox Healthcare Limited is a majority-owned subsidiary of African Oxygen
Limited (Afrox), BOC's gases company based in South Africa. Both companies are
listed on the JSE Securities Exchange. The BOC Group owns approximately 56 per
cent of Afrox, which in turn owns some 69 per cent of Afrox Healthcare Limited.
BOC's economic interest in Afrox healthcare is therefore 39 per cent.

The BOC Group, which serves two million customers in more than 50 countries, is
one of the largest and most global of the world's leading gases companies. It
employs more than 46,000 people worldwide and had annual sales of over �4
billion in 2002. Further information about The BOC Group may be obtained on the
Internet at http://www.boc.com

Contact:       Christopher Marsay, Director - Investor Relations            
                                                                            
               Tel. 01276 477222 (International +44 1276 477222)            



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