Archives 2020

Warning to Schools on the Imposition of Suppliers for the Sale of Face Masks and Sanitizers

The Competition and Tariff Commission (‘the Commission’) is a statutory body established in terms of the Competition Act [Chapter 14:28] (the “Act”). Its mandate, as espoused in the Act, is the promotion and maintenance of competition in all sectors of the Zimbabwean economy. The ultimate goal of competition regulation is to improve consumer welfare through creating an environment where economic actors interact freely leading to creation of wealth at individual and business level.

The Commission notes that Government announced the re-opening of schools on the 14^th of September 2020 for Cambridge examinations classes; and on the 28^th of September 2020 for ZIMSEC examination classes. It also approved that ZIMSEC examinations commence on the 1^st of December 2020. In this respect, the Commission advises all stakeholders – including schools, parents, guardians and scholars, that the practice of imposing a supplier of face masks and sanitizers on schools, pupils, parents, guardians, is an anticompetitive practice prohibited in terms of section 2 of the Competition Act [Chapter 14:28 ]. The practice negatively impacts on consumer welfare as it limits guardians and parents’ choice of buying masks and sanitizers from alternative cheaper or quality suppliers. 

The Commission will not condone such exploitation of the vulnerable society during the Covid-19 pandemic period; and will not hesitate to undertake enforcement actions against any school found to contravene the Competition Act, pre- and post- the opening of schools. Stakeholders are therefore requested to approach the Commission with information on any forced sale of face masks and sanitizers during this Covid-19 pandemic period as parents, guardians  and scholars exercise their right to make choices of where to purchase face masks and sanitizers.

Stakeholders can contact the Commission at Number 23 Broadlands, Emerald Hill or email director@competition.co.zw or on WhatsApp number +26371 578 3923

PRESS STATEMENT ON PROVISION OF SERVICES AT THE COMPETITION AND TARIFF COMMISSION IN THE WAKE OF A SURGE IN CORONA VIRUS (COVID -19) CASES

The Competition and Tariff Commission is closely monitoring the coronavirus (COVID -19) outbreak and its impact on business continuity in Zimbabwe. Of concern is the sharp increase in local transmissions in the last few months, which led His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe – Comrade Emmerson Dambudzo Munangagwa to tighten the national lockdown, with the objective of curbing the further spread of the disease. Against this background, the Commission has taken the decision to limit face-to-face interactions in order to protect both its staff and stakeholders from COVID-19. Accordingly, the Commission will therefore adopt the following:-

1. Merging parties must download and complete merger notification forms from the Commission’s Website
2. Firms seeking tariff assistance must download and complete tariff relief application forms from the Commission website
3. Firms seeking to apply for protection against any unfair trade practices (e.g. dumping) must download and complete unfair trade practices application forms from the Commission website
4. Firms applying to seek advisory services from the Commission must do so through email;

All completed scanned copies of applications must be emailed to the following emails;

director@competition.co.zw or selina@competition.co.zw or tzengeni@competition.co.zw

Notwithstanding this, the Commission’s Offices at number 23 Broadlands Road Emerald Hill, Harare, manned by critical staff, will remain open from 0800 hours to 1500 hours to serve Covid-19 related complaints, until further notice. However, stakeholders and affected businesses in the supply chain can still report their concerns to the Commission through contact details available on its website www.competition.co.zw, or at director@competition.co.zw or on WhatsApp number 0715 905 651. The contact person is Mr. T. Zengeni reachable at 0773 256 384 (WhatsApp and SMS) or  tzengeni@competition.co.zw.

Stakeholders are urged to note that the Commission does not condone exploitation of the vulnerable consuming public during the lockdown period. Conspiracies against consumers violating the Competition Act[Chapter 14:28] such as:-

i)    price fixing by trade associations,

ii) misleading advertisements,  

iii) distribution of commodities above advertised prices,  

iv) tying and bundling;

are out rightly prohibited during the pandemic period. Businesses are reminded to comply with the provisions of the Act, as non- compliance will be subject to maximum penalties and sanctions.  The Commission also encourages all its valued stakeholders to remain vigilant and adhere to health guidelines laid down by the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare .i.e. avoiding unnecessary traveling, practicing social distancing, wearing of masks and frequent sanitization of hands.

For Economic Recovery Through Fair Business and Trade Practices