Dischem accused of price-hiking amid lockdown

Dischem accused of price-hiking amid virus lockdown

Pharmacy giants Dischem are facing a massive legal backlash for price-hiking during the state of disaster.

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The Competition Commission's tribunal intends to prosecute the retailer after an investigation found they'd charged excessive prices on essential hygiene goods.


The commission has already received numerous complaints from the public on the pricing of face-masks in particular.


The initial investigation showed certain products had been given an up to 261% mark-up.


READ: Some businesses to resume operations when lockdown level 4 is activated


The commission's head of communication, Sipho Ngwema says they'll be seeking the full penalties against any business, who restricts access to such life-saving goods.


"We investigated three products which we found that they were inflated by between 43% and 261% respectively and they will be appearing before the tribunal."


"We have asked the tribunal to impose the maximum penalty because we believe that the cash that the consumer used needs to be defended," he says. 

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