Deputy Speaker, the picture the hon Minister has outlined today is indeed a very sorry one and reveals the depths to which big economic players in South Africa are prepared to sink in order to maximise their profits. We have to call this exactly what it is: large-scale theft from the poor!
The ID applauds the Competition Commission for exposing this kind of theft, and we welcome the settlement that has been negotiated. Our only regret though is that criminal charges do not seem to have been brought against anyone for this crime against the poor.
In the future, the ID would hope that these unscrupulous actors will face the full force of the law as opposed to simply punitive fines. The ID supports all measures that aim to create a more competitive economy in which new entrants can emerge and consumers can get a fair deal. Thank you.