SA Human Rights Commission calls for harsher action against those breaking business competition regulations

The South African Human Rights Commission is concerned about the negative impact anti-competitive business behaviour has on the attainment of socio-economic rights by the poor, as they are the ones heavily bearing the brunt of such practices.

The SAHRC hopes the Competition Commission will recommend stringent action later when it completes its investigation into bread and milling cartels and in its banking enquiry report regarding ¡anti competitive outcomes.¡

Anti-competitive business behaviour should not only be characterised as a more civilized form of illegal corporate activity but should also be viewed within the same context of criminal findings of fraud and corruption perpetrated by companies and individual employees.

Secondly, especially when dealing with basic commodities like bread, we cannot separate the illegal activities of companies from their impact on the economic and social rights of the communities who comprise their customer base and from whom they derive their profit.

As these illegal activities concern basic commodities and disproportionately affect disadvantaged communities, they paint a picture of the ruthless prioritisation of profit at the expense of the marginalised, who are already disproportionately affected by food and fuel inflation.

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Issued by the SA Human Rights Commission Media Relations Sub-Programme.

 Enquiries: Vincent Moaga on 073 562 9866