19. Inventories
 
  Group   Company  
  31 March 
2020 
Rm 		   31 March 
2019 
Rm 		   31 March 
2020 
Rm 		   31 March 
2019 
Rm 		  
  972    1 267    640    862   
Gross inventories 1 130     1 497    764    1 003   
Write-down of inventories to net realisable value (158)   (230)   (124)   (141)  
Inventories consist of the following categories: 1 130   1 497    764    1 003   
Installation material, maintenance material and network equipment 382    468    383    468   
Merchandise 748    1 029    381    535   
Write-down of inventories to net realisable value 158    230    124    141   
Opening balance 230    208    141    179   
Charged to selling, general and administrative expenses 63    117    10    14   
Inventories written off (135)   (95)   (27)   (52)  

The Groups’ inventory decreased in the current financial year largely due to working capital optimisation and merchandise sold to new customers.

Impact of COVID-19 on inventories

There was no significant impact of COVID-19 on inventories at the end of the reporting period. Inventory tests were performed and it was confirmed that there were no indications of any losses suffered due to damage or contamination that occurred. Therefore, management did not require an adjustment to the carrying value of inventory to bring it to its net realisable value.