Two deputy commissioners have been appointed to serve six month terms on the Competition Commission, the economic development department said on Monday.

"The two new deputy commissioners are advocate Oliver Josie and Trudi Makhaya," it said in a statement.

Both of them were part of the executive management of the Competition Commission.

Makhaya had served as the divisional manager for advocacy and stakeholders relations since 2012, and Josie as the divisional manager responsible for cartels since 2011.

The appointments were made by Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel following the resignation of Competition Commission deputy commissioner Thembinkosi Bonakele, with effect from the end of March.

Makhaya and Josie would act in their positions, while Patel started the process of appointing one or more deputy commissioners on longer term contracts, in line with the Competition Act.

The act allows the minister to appoint more than one deputy commissioner.

"The interim appointments will ensure an uninterrupted service by the Competition Commission, which has a critical role to play in advancing an inclusive economy, promoting competition, combating abuse of market power and supporting job creation and small business development," said Patel.