Competition Tribunal
The Competition Tribunal is a quasi-judicial body in South Africa that adjudicates matters arising under the Competition Act. It operates as an independent statutory institution responsible for hearing and deciding cases involving mergers, acquisitions, prohibited practices and other competition law matters referred to it by the Competition Commission or brought directly by parties. The Tribunal has the power to approve, prohibit or conditionally approve mergers and acquisitions, and to impose penalties for contraventions of competition law. It is composed of a chairperson, deputy chairperson and other members appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition. Hearings before the Tribunal are conducted in a court-like setting, with parties represented by legal counsel and evidence presented under oath. The Tribunal's decisions are subject to appeal to the Competition Appeal Court. It sits within the broader competition law framework overseen by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, working alongside the Competition Commission to promote and maintain competition in the South African economy. The Tribunal was established following the enactment of the Competition Act in 1998, which introduced a comprehensive competition law regime to replace apartheid-era economic regulation.
Competition Tribunal Updates
AfriForum calls on government to crack down on crime in the number plate industry
21st July 2026 AfriForum is calling on the relevant government departments to crack down on the large-scale crime exposed within the number plate industry. This... →
Commission recommends Tribunal approve Bidco’s acquisition of Balwin
By: Tasneem Bulbulia 14th July 2026 The Competition Commission has recommended to the Competition Tribunal that it approve the proposed transaction whereby Bidco intends to acquire... →
AfriForum welcomes decision to put Gauteng number plate project on hold
1st July 2026 AfriForum welcomes the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport’s decision to put the province’s new number plate system on hold. This plan would... →
Merger condition compliance: Proposed Rule 39 amendment brings improvements to process but shifts the burden of proof to merged entities
4th June 2026 Key implications of the proposed amendment to the procedure that will be followed by the Competition Commission when firms subject to merger... →
How the Competition Commission’s ESOP impact study may shape future mergers
4th June 2026 South African companies often introduce Employee Share Ownership Plans (“ESOPs“) for a variety of reasons. Through an ESOP, workers acquire shares... →
DA tackles illegal number plates, calling for Creecy, Tau and Cachalia to act
1st June 2026 The DA has written to Ministers Tau, Creecy and Acting Minister Cachalia to urgently establish an inter-ministerial task team to deal with a... →
AfriForum warns Department against continuation of Gauteng number plate project
25th May 2026 AfriForum’s attorneys today sent a letter of demand to the Gauteng Department of Transport and the office of the Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, demanding... →
South Africa: Merger notification thresholds and filing fees increase from 1 May 2026
12th May 2026 South Africa’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition has, in a notice, published revised merger notification thresholds and filing fees under... →
South Africa’s Digital Markets Regime Has Arrived and it Lives Inside Competition Law
31st March 2026 The debate about whether South Africa should regulate digital platforms is over. The Competition Commission has moved decisively from theory to... →
The blueprint for integrity: Redesigning South Africa’s criminal justice engine
24th March 2026 In the inaugural edition of Espresso Briefs, a monthly deep-dive hosted by law firm Nortons Inc., Anthony Norton and Michelle Rawlinson sat down... →
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