Competition Commission v Southern African Bitumen Association, In re: Chevron SA (Pty) Ltd and Others (06/CR/MAR10) [2011] ZACT 61; [2011] 2 CPLR 360 (CT) (17 August 2011)

Competition Commission v Southern African Bitumen Association, In re: Chevron SA (Pty) Ltd and Others (06/CR/MAR10) [2011] ZACT 61; [2011] 2 CPLR 360 (CT) (17 August 2011)

The Tribunal found that SABITA, through its activities as a trade association, facilitated discussions and agreements among bitumen producers that resulted in the adoption and publication of pricing mechanisms, including the WLSP and BPAF, which constituted conduct alleged to contravene section 4(1)(b)(i) of the...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2011] ZACT 61
Parties
Applicant: Competition Commission; Respondent: Southern African Bitumen Association; Respondent: Chevron SA (Pty) Ltd; Respondent: Engen Limited; Respondent: Shell SA (Pty) Ltd; Respondent: Total SA (Pty) Ltd; Respondent: Masana Petroleum Solutions (Pty) Ltd; Respondent: SASOL Limited; Respondent: Tosas (Pty) Ltd
Court
Competition Tribunal
Jurisdiction
South Africa
Case Number
06/CR/MAR10
Procedural Posture
Settlement Confirmation / Order Confirming Settlement Agreement
Outcome
Settlement agreement confirmed as an order of the Tribunal, with specified amendments and administrative penalty imposed.
Judges
N Manoim, A Wessels, Y Carrim
Legal Topics
Horizontal Price Fixing, Trade Association Liability, Administrative Penalty, Settlement Agreement, Competition Compliance Programme
Competition Law Horizontal Price Fixing Trade Association Liability Administrative Penalty Settlement Agreement Competition Compliance Programme

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Downloadable case file Legal principles 3 Authorities cited 1 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 1
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Competition Commission

Applicant

Southern African Bitumen Association

Respondent

Chevron SA (Pty) Ltd

Respondent

Engen Limited

Respondent

Shell SA (Pty) Ltd

Respondent

Total SA (Pty) Ltd

Respondent

Masana Petroleum Solutions (Pty) Ltd

Respondent

SASOL Limited

Respondent

Tosas (Pty) Ltd

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Settlement Confirmation / Order Confirming Settlement Agreement

  1. 1 Whether SABITA, as a trade association, facilitated or engaged in conduct amounting to horizontal price fixing in contravention of section 4(1)(b)(i) of the Competition Act.
  2. 2 Whether the settlement agreement between the Commission and SABITA should be confirmed as an order of the Tribunal.
  3. 3 Whether the administrative penalty agreed is appropriate and within statutory limits.

Ratio Decidendi

The Tribunal found that SABITA, through its activities as a trade association, facilitated discussions and agreements among bitumen producers that resulted in the adoption and publication of pricing mechanisms, including the WLSP and BPAF, which constituted conduct alleged to contravene section 4(1)(b)(i) of the Competition Act. SABITA admitted to the conduct and agreed to cease such activities, implement a compliance programme, and pay an administrative penalty. The Tribunal confirmed the settlement agreement as an order, subject to the deletion of the portion in paragraph 4.1 of the consent agreement that stated SABITA abides the Tribunal's decision on whether the conduct constituted a...

Court Disposition

Settlement agreement confirmed as an order of the Tribunal, with specified amendments and administrative penalty imposed.

Orders

  • The settlement agreement between the Competition Commission and SABITA is confirmed as an order of the Tribunal, subject to the deletion of the portion in paragraph 4.1 of the consent agreement which reads: 'SABITA abides the decision of the Tribunal as to whether the conduct alleged in the complaint referral in...
  • SABITA is ordered to pay an administrative penalty of R500,000 to the Competition Commission, in accordance with the payment schedule set out in the agreement.