The public and the business community are informed that the Competition Commission can now sit to determine cases brought before it, says Botswana Competition Authority in a statement.

The authority says the move follows the publication of the Rules for the Conduct of Proceedings of the Competition Commission in the Government Gazette.

The Rules set out the procedures to be followed in the adjudication process and will assist those who come before the Commission.

“The effect of publishing the Rules is that the Competition Authority can now refer competition cases to the Competition Commission for determination. Where the Authority has discontinued investigations and not referred a matter to the Competition Commission, the complainant may use the Rules to refer the matter itself to the Competition Commission. Enterprises may also use the Rules to apply for interim relief from the Competition Commission,” says Competition Authority.

“Furthermore, the public is informed that the Guidelines of the Competition Commission on the Principles to be used in Determining any Penalty or Remedy have also been published.  In terms of the Competition Act, the Competition Commission may make orders imposing financial penalties on enterprises that have breached Section 25 and 26 of the Competition Act.  It is important for enterprises and the public to familiarise themselves with these Guidelines.”

The Rules and the Guidelines are available on the Competition Authority website  www.competitionauthority.co.bw.