Cape Town boat operators who colluded to inflate their prices for trips to Robben Island have been served with fines‚ according to the Competition Tribunal. It said an investigation by the Competition Commission was instituted after a complaint from the Robben Island Museum, according to a TimesLIVE report.

Five companies who allegedly colluded on a tender were identified.

‘The commission’s investigation found that around 22 September 2015‚ the respondents met at the Cape Town Fish Market Coffee Shop where they discussed increasing the prices they would charge the museum when responding to a tender it issued.

The tender was for bidders to be listed on the museum’s database as a preferred service provider for a 12-month period.

‘Subsequent to the meeting Thembekile and Nauticat Charters increased their prices to R18 000 per trip for 140 passengers. Ferry Charters did not alter its price as it was already charging R18 000 per trip for 140 passengers and this resulted in all three quoting the same price. Silverbuckle increased its price per trip from R7 750 to R8 775 for a 65-passenger vessel.’

The Competition Tribunal confirmed settlement agreements with: Thembekile Maritime Service (penalty R350‚ 000); Silverbuckle Trade 21 CC t/a Yacoob Yatch (penalty R249 171); and Nauticat Charters (penalty R422 087).

Full TimesLIVE report