Competition Commission

The Competition Commission is empowered by the Competition Act to investigate, control and evaluate restrictive business practices, abuse of dominant positions and mergers in order to achieve equity and efficiency in the South African economy.

Its purpose is to promote and maintain competition in South Africa in order to: promote the efficiency, adaptability and development of the economy; provide consumers with competitive prices and product choices; promote employment and advance the social and economic welfare of South Africans; expand opportunities for South African participation in world markets and recognise the role of foreign competition in the country; ensure that small- and medium-sized enterprises have an equitable opportunity to participate in the economy; and promote a greater spread of ownership, in particular to increase the ownership stakes of historically disadvantaged persons.

To achieve its purpose, the Commission’s core functions are the following: implement measures to increase market transparency; implement measures to develop public awareness of the provisions of the Act; investigate and evaluate alleged anti-competitive conduct; conduct formal inquiry in respect of the general state of competition in a market; grant or refuse applications for exemption from the application of the Act; authorise, with or without conditions, prohibit or refer mergers of which it receives notice; negotiate and conclude consent orders; refer matters to the Competition Tribunal of South Africa (the Tribunal) and appear before the Tribunal when required; negotiate agreements with any regulatory authority to coordinate and harmonise the exercise of jurisdiction over competition matters within the relevant industry or sector, and ensure the consistent application of the principles of the Act; participate in the proceedings of any regulatory authority; advise and receive advice from any regulatory authority; review legislation and public regulations, and report to the Minister concerning any provision that permits uncompetitive behaviour; and deal with any other matter referred to it by the Tribunal.