Overview

The Competition Tribunal is an independent adjudicative body established in terms of section 26 of the Competition Act, No. 89 of 1998 ("the Act"). It has jurisdiction throughout South Africa and exercises its functions in accordance with the Act and the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa - without fear, favour or prejudice. The Tribunal functions much like a court. It hears and decides cases concerning mergers and prohibited practices. The Tribunal's purpose is to promote and maintain competition in the Republic in order to: (a) promote the efficiency, adaptability and development of the economy; (b) provide consumers with competitive prices and product choices; (c) promote employment and advance the social and economic welfare of all South Africans; (d) expand opportunities for South African participation in world markets and recognise the role of foreign competition in the Republic; (e) ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises have an equitable opportunity to participate in the economy; (f) promote a greater spread of ownership, in particular to increase the ownership stakes of historically disadvantaged persons; and (g) detect and address conditions in the market for any particular goods or services, or any behaviour within such a market, that tends to impede, restrict or distort competition in connection with the supply or acquisition of those goods or services within the Republic.