BEFORE the start of the lockdown period, government released regulations that sought to control the prices of items we’d need during this time of maintaining social distancing.
The regulations stipulated companies weren’t allowed to hike prices beyond the normal cost to produce the products.
The listed items include toilet paper, hand sanitisers, facial masks, surgical masks, disinfectants and cleaners, surgical gloves, disinfectant wipes, antiseptic liquids, all-purpose cleaners, baby formula, disposable nappies, bleach, cooking oils, wheat flour, rice, maize meal, pasta, sugar, long-life milk, canned and frozen vegetables, frozen and fresh meat, chicken or fish and bottled water.
But companies have increased their prices, taking advantage of the needs of consumers.
This week, retail pharmacy franchise, Dischem, was found guilty of violating the regulation.
The Competition Commission announced it had received…
