Competition commission calls out face mask suppliers
The Commission found that the suppliers prices' had increased by more than 900 per cent.
TWO major face mask suppliers have come under fire for alleged high prices as the Competition Commission of South Africa (CCSA) has referred them to the Competition Tribunal for prosecution.
Sipho Ngwema, head of communication for CCSA said the suppliers, Sicuro Safety and Hennox were charged with contravening Consumer Protection Regulations.
“This follows the Commission’s investigation which found that the two firms’ prices for the Filtering Face Piece 1 (FFP1) mask increased astronomically by more than 969.07 per cent and 956 per cent, as charged by Sicuro and Hennox, respectively. The firms have not furnished the Commission with any reasonable explanation for such excessive price increases,” said Ngwema.
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“The Commission contends that Sicuro’s and Hennox’s pricing was a direct reaction to the Covid-19 pandemic and its unprecedented impact on the world in general and South Africa in particular,” he added.
The Commission has requested an interdict to prevent the suppliers from continuing with excessive pricing.
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