Safeguarding South African Consumers’ Socio-Economic Rights During Covid-19

Competition Commission v Babelegi Workwear and Industrial Supplies

Bibliographic Data

ID16767918
AuthorsSimbarashe Tavuyanago (0000-0002-6756-0884, University of the Free State, corresponding author), Kudzai Mpofu (0000-0002-8483-7793, University of the Free State)
Year2024
Volume68
Issue1
Pages125-136
Publication date2024-02-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of African Law (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0221-8553 • E-ISSN: 1464-3731
PublisherCambridge University Press (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1017/s0021855323000335
OpenAlexW4390698430
LanguageEN
References cited5

This article explores the responses of the South African competition authorities to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the socio-economic rights of consumers in relation to the price gouging of essential and medical supplies. After discussing the constitutional and legislative context of socio-economic rights and excessive pricing, it examines the first case in which the competition authorities were called upon to decide on the excessive pricing of medical supplies during COVID-19. The article finds that, while the competition authorities were swift to interpret the Competition Act widely and act against suppliers charging excessive prices, there remains a gap in South Africa's legislative framework as there is no specific legislation regulating price gouging during states of pandemic or disaster. The article identifies the need for legislative development and concludes by offering recommendations for addressing future incidents of price gouging

Business · Cartel · Collusion · Commission · Competition (biology) · Competition law · Context (archaeology) · Economics · Geography · Industrial organization · International trade · Legislation · Legislature · Market economy · Monopoly · Political science · Safeguarding · Corporate Law and Human Rights · Law · Legal Issues in South Africa · Polish Law and Legal System

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