The application of competition law to the healthcare sector came under scrutiny at a conference held at Webber Wentzel on 24 August 2012. Competition Commission (Commission) staff, economists and healthcare sector stakeholders discussed the particular features of the healthcare market; enforcement action in relation to hospital mergers and collective bargaining; and the possibility of a market inquiry into the sector.

On 6 August 2012 the Health Professions Council of South Africa (the HPCSA) issued a media release providing a window period to allow for compliance with the Health Professions Act, No. 56 of 1974 (the Act) and applicable regulations, rules and policy guidelines.

On 2 February 2012, the Broadcasting Complaints Commission (BCCSA) handed down judgment in a series of complaints lodged by a number of viewers of the e-News and e.tv channels. The complaints were sparked by the broadcast of footage relating to the attack on former Libyan leader, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi which led to his death.

Competition law is evolving, on a policy and academic level, to further support the competition regulatory framework in South Africa.

On 24 September 2012 the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) published some amendments to its tax legislation.

On 14 November 2012 the Competition Appeal Court (CAC) upheld an appeal by the Competition Commission against a decision of the Competition Tribunal.

The Competition Commission (Commission) has approved two transactions whereby Oceana Group Limited (acting through subsidiary companies) (Oceana) is to acquire interests, shares and assets in the fishing and cold storage industries.

Following Parliament's adoption of the Constitution Seventeenth Amendment Bill on 20 November 2012, the Supreme Court of Appeal's jurisdiction to hear appeals from the Competition Appeal Court (CAC) has been restricted in respect of certain matters.

In his address, Dr Lipimile indicated that the Commission was poised to commence its official operations in the course of February 2012, or so soon thereafter.

The Competition Tribunal (Tribunal) unconditionally approved a merger between the Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa (Landbank) and Corporate Lending Book, an operating division of Gro Capital Financial Services (Proprietary) Limited, on 30 May 2012.

In July 2012 the Competition Tribunal (Tribunal) approved the sale of a silica mine between rival companies, overturning the decision by the Competition Commission (Commission) to prohibit the merger.

The Competition Tribunal has recently given reasons for its decision to dismiss an appeal brought against an exemption granted by the Competition Commission to the South African Petroleum Association.

In February, we reported in a newsletter, on a Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) announcement.

On 9 December 2011 the Minister exercised her discretion and published a list of threatened ecosystems in the terrestrial environment.

The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry has called for comments from interested and affected parties on the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Amendment Bill, 2, which was published on 28 November 2012.

On 6 February 2012, the Cape High Court ruled in favour of an application by the Cape Argus newspaper in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) for a copy of the so-called Nel Report.

The Protection of Personal Information Bill 2009 (POPI) aims to bring South Africa in line with international data protection laws.

​​​​​​The year 2025 is ear marked to be a landmark period for the fintech industry, marked by ground breaking innovations, regulatory milestones, and continued push towards financial inclusion.

​​​On 19 December 2024, the National Treasury published the Draft General Laws (Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing) Amendment Bill, 2024 (Draft Bill) for public comment.

The Employment and Employee Benefits practice group has extensive experience providing legal advice and representation on employment equity matters. Building on this foundation, the team is pleased to announce the launch of its dedicated Employment Equity compliance and consultancy offering (see below infographic).