Inquiry panel’s head details logistics

On 16 April 2014, the South African Competition Commission held a media briefing, in which the administrative guidelines, the administrative timetable and statement of issues for the inquiry were announced.  AAT previously reported on the health-care sector investigation here.

Addressing the media and other stakeholders at the briefing, the chairperson of the inquiry, former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, provided a brief explanation of what a market inquiry is, provided an overview of its possible outcomes, the Competition Commission and panel’s approach, the use of information during the inquiry and the management of confidential information.

Furthermore, the former Chief Justice elaborated on the important dates and timelines of the inquiry, the statement of issues, theories of harm and that stakeholders ought to provide accurate information in order to assist the panel.

The important dates are:

Date	Event
31 May	Statement of Issues and Administrative Guidelines issues for public comment
30 June	Deadline for submission of public comment on Statement of Issues and Administrative Guidelines
1 July – 31 July	Incorporation of comments on Statement of Issues and Administrative Guidelines
01 August	Publication of final Statement of Issues and Administrative Guidelines
01 August	Call for submissions on subject matter of the inquiry
March and April 2015	Public hearings
November 2015	Forecasted completion of the inquiry