The Department of Trade Industry and Competition (DTIC) says that South African consumers should be vigilant of price hikes during the country’s Covid-19 lockdown, and should educate themselves about the\u00a0regulations that businesses must comply with during the Covid-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
DTIC deputy minister Nomalungelo Gina\u00a0said that this is especially important as some retailers are selling goods at inflated rates.<\/p>\n
With the high unemployment rate, this means that most consumers are no longer able to afford essential goods, especially those with inflated prices, she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe anti-competitive behaviour by businesses might be one of the causes driving price hikes. The Covid-19 pandemic may have also contributed to how businesses are behaving in response to the pandemic, which in turn is affecting consumers in a negative way.<\/p>\n
“It is therefore important for consumers to know their rights and understand steps to take where they suspect unfair practices by businesses,\u201d said Gina.<\/p>\n
Gina said that the department in conjunction with its agencies will hold a webinar<\/a><\/strong> to better educate consumers.<\/p>\n The dialogue will assist consumers with steps and processes to follow in reporting unfair pricing of goods and services – including price collusions or unfair increase of prices – and regulations with which businesses must comply during the Covid-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n Gina said that it is important for such behaviours to be stopped, which can be done only when they are reported.<\/p>\n