The Competition Commission Commission stated it has referred its first COVID-19 price gouging case to the Competition Tribunal.
Many companies have taken advantage of the spread of COVID-19 in South Africa by hiking prices of items such as surgical gloves and masks.
Tembinkosi Bonakele, the commissioner of the Competition Commission, said the first case before the Tribunal is a case of excessive pricing against Babelegi Workwear Overall Manufacturers & Industrial Supplies CC (Babelegi) for inflating the price of facial masks
“The Commission has now gone past the stage of moral suasion and appeals to patriotism to stop abuse of market power by those seeking to exploit consumers at the worst possible time – the law must take its course – we will see a wave of prosecution of firms in the next coming days,” said Bonakele.
The case against Babelegi will be heard later this month.
Full Content: Sunday World
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