Jail sentence for anti-competitive practices?
Briefing the National Assembly’s economic development committee, Ramburuth said, however, the commission operated in terms of civil, not criminal law.
He was responding to concerns raised by MPs that the fines imposed by the commission were insufficient deterrent. They said businesses simply paid the fines and carried on their anti-competitive behaviour, with the consumer having to continue paying excessive prices for products.
Ramburuth said the fines imposed were not a punishment. The fines were about deterring anti-competitive behaviour, and part of the settlements reached with businesses included a commitment that the practices leading to the fine would not recur.
“It is not criminal law, it is civil law.”
A proper disincentive would be a jail sentence. However, the commission had to operate within its governing legislation, he said.
Threat of jail sentence for anti-competitive practices – discussion
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