Netcare has been accused of deliberately delaying the Competition Commission’s inquiry into exacerbating hospital and doctors fees.
In papers before the Johannesburg High Court, the Commission has accused Netcare of trying to hide information. The Commission believes Netcare has done so because they could be referred to the Competition Tribunal for illegal anti-competitive behaviour.
The Commission is to investigate why every year Netcare’s medical costs rise above the inflation rate.
Netcare filed an interdict in December last year, challenging the Commission’s use of KPMG as a technical service provider. Netcare stated that KPMG’s involvement was a conflict of interest because the firm had done consultancy and strategic work for Netcare since 2011.
The Commission was scheduled to start its inquiry on 6 January 2014 and their final report is to be released on 30 November 2015.
Revenue from Netcare hospitals and emergency services grew by 8,6 per cent in the year ending September 2013.
