Competition drama for Oscar’s family

Cape Town - Oscar Pistorius’ family business appeared before the Competition Tribunal yesterday over claims of price-fixing.

Lawyers representing the Pistorius family in the alleged cartel case attempted to have the charges against their company dismissed, but failed, reports Timeslive.

The company‚ Hendrik Pistorius & Co‚ which was founded by Oscar’s grandfather‚ and eight other respondents are facing charges of collusion.

The Pistorius company‚ which deals in agricultural lime‚ allegedly conspired with agents in the agriculture sector to have its product solely marketed‚ distributed and sold to farmers between 1995 and 2008.

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The Competition Commission discovered the discrepancies after customers complained about excessive pricing‚ price discrimination and price fixing.

“The respondents contravened section 4(1)(b)(i) of the [Competition] Act by entering into agreements and/or concerted practice to fix the amounts of the agents’ commissions‚” said the commission in its founding affidavit.

But the Pistorius family wanted the matter dismissed as the charges fell outside of the seven years allowed for a prosecution.

Lawyers also cited the incorrect attribution of the company’s name to the charges‚ saying it was the Hendrik Pistorius Trust that was the trading company.

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The commission asked for a postponement‚ to find a company’s trustee‚ and to be allowed to amend charges against the correct entity. It also said it was still within the prosecution period‚ as the alleged colluding had gone on until 2009.

The tribunal granted the postponement.

DAILY VOICE