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South Africa Sends Mask Manufacturer To Court For Price-Gouging

By  |  April 16, 2020

A company believed to have hiked the price of face masks by 500% during the coronavirus epidemic has been sent to a South African court, and more prosecutions for suspected price gouging will follow, the competition watchdog stated on Wednesday, April 15. 

The Competition Commission is investigating more than 300 complaints against retailers and suppliers for over-charging essential commodities at a time when South Africa is already reeling under a shortage of medical supplies and equipment. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a 21-day lockdown from March 27 and later extended it to the end of April to contain the spread of coronavirus. South Africa has already seen about 2,500 coronavirus-led infections and 34 deaths, according to the health ministry. 

The lockdown has barred sale of non-essential items such as clothes, stationery, and cosmetics, but it also disrupted supply chains for groceries and other essential commodities such as sanitizers and medicines.

Full Content: Reuters

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