SADC members move to target cartels

Anti-competitive cartels know no geographic boundaries‚ which has prompted SADC member states to join forces to target cross-border cartels. Following a meeting chaired by South Africa in Pretoria on Wednesday‚ competition commissioners from the 15 SADC member states entered into a cooperation agreement which saw the adoption of a comprehensive cartels cooperation framework. A TimesLIVE report notes that it aims to promote greater regional cooperation and coordination and to enable SADC member states to improve the quality and efficiency of cartel investigation processes. Thembinkosi Bonakele‚ SA's competition commissioner‚ said cartel conduct by companies is one of the most harmful forms of anti-competitive conduct. ‘The egregious effects of cartels in Africa are also documented in a joint report by the African Competition Forum and the World Bank‚ which showed that the retail prices of 10 key consumer goods – including bread‚ milk‚ eggs‚ potatoes and frozen chicken – are on average 24% higher in African cities than in other economies around the world‚’ he said.

– TimesLIVE