Legal Articles and Guides
Commission wants Google adverts downgraded
The Competition Commission wants Google to better identify adverts that come up in searches and place them lower down the page from organic search results, while also recommending that Google not be the built-in search option on SA mobile phones.
Probe into excessive airline ticket prices
The Competition Commission yesterday said it is expediting its investigations into ‘excessive’ pricing by airlines after receiving formal complaints from consumers as ticket prices continue to soar.
Commission to monitor airline ticket prices
The Competition Commission has said it is monitoring airline ticket prices after Comair suspended operations this week due to a liquidity crunch, sparking fears that the remaining airlines could take advantage of reduced supply and hike fares.
Computicket agrees to another fine for ticket deals
Shoprite-owned Computicket has agreed with the Competition Commission to pay a fine of R11.3m after it was found to have entered into exclusive deals with theatres, promoters, and other event organisers between 2013 and 2018, which excluded competitors from entering the ticketing market.
Lifebuoy 'germ protection' appeal dismissed
Lifebuoy soap makers Unilever has failed to convince the Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) that its product offers protection against infections, which dismissed an appeal against a successful complaint from competitor Colgate-Palmolive.
FirstRand conundrum over alleged collusion
FirstRand may well find itself on the hook for a costly penalty over alleged anticompetitive behaviour involving its vehicle financing subsidiary, WesBank.
Commission finds cost of breast cancer drug inflated
More than 10 000 breast cancer patients were unable to receive treatment because of excessive prices charged by health multinational Roche. This is according to the Competition Commission, which has filed a referral to prosecute the Swiss firm.
Takealot says complaints are service related
Naspers-owned Takealot vowed to deal with service-related issues on its platform during an inquiry into e-commerce competition in SA, after allegations by regulators that it had intimidated small businesses using its platforms to trade.
School uniform victory for parents
The Competition Tribunal’s ruling that schools can no longer force parents to buy their children’s school uniform at a specific supplier has been hailed a huge victory for poor parents and small businesses.
Tourvest fined R9m for collusion
Unlisted integrated tourism group Tourvest Holdings has been ordered to pay an administrative penalty of R9.18m within 30 days, after the Competition Tribunal found it guilty of collusive tendering or price fixing together with the Siyazisiza Trust.
Commission thumbs up for big mergers
The Competition Commission has made a number of key recommendations for approval, including giving retail pharmacy Clicks the green light to acquire 25 Pick n Pay retail pharmacies.
Tribunal approves Burger King sale
The Competition Tribunal has given the sale of the SA franchise of Burger King by Grand Parade the go-ahead, with conditions, allowing foreign investment worth about R470m to flow into the country.
Supplier proclaims innocence, despite fine
Medical equipment supplier Intermed has maintained its innocence despite being slapped with a hefty fine by the Competition Tribunal for alleged cartel conduct during a tender process.
Commission to investigate digital marketplace
The Competition Commission has set its sights on the digital marketplace, where it says small businesses are exposed to exorbitant fees, which hamper their growth, says a Financial Mail report.
GovChat gets interim relief in Facebook case
The Competition Tribunal has restrained WhatsApp and Facebook from removing the government’s digital communication platform from the WhatsApp platform, notes BusinessLIVE.
