Asphalt producers cleared by tribunal
The Competition Tribunal has dismissed a complaint referral against asphalt producers Roadspan Surfaces and Much Asphalt, who were accused by the Competition Commission of entering into an agreement to divide markets in contravention of the Competition Act, notes a Moneyweb report.
The commission had alleged the two companies entered into the collusive agreement during a meeting in 2008, with Roadspan Surfaces agreeing not to set up an asphalt production plant in Gauteng in competition with Much Asphalt and, in return, to remain a customer of Much Asphalt for the supply of asphalt in the province.
The investigation into the two firms formed part of a wide-ranging series of investigations by the commission into alleged anti-competitive practices taking place in the construction materials sector.
In its order and reasons issued yesterday, the tribunal found that the commission had not discharged its onus to prove that a geographic market division agreement was struck between Roadspan and Much Asphalt, as alleged by the commission.
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