Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Federation of Eswatini Business Community (FESBC) has now called on the Competition
Commission to probe Montigny Investments Limited, which it also accuses of unfair competition.
In a letter dated December 11 and addressed to the Eswatini Competition Commission Chief Executive Officer, Muzi Dlamini, the federation said it had been instructed by members to request the organisation to urgently conduct an investigation on the forestry industry anti-competitiveness posed by Montigny to the local forest businesses.
The letter, signed by FESBC Head of Transformation, Mavela Sigwane, accuses Montigny of allegedly blocking access to South Africa markets that were previously enjoyed by local forest business players.
This comes in the backdrop of FESBC also calling on the competition commission to probe Inyatsi Group Holdings (Pty) Ltd, which it accused of dominance and unfair competition to local business.
Through Sigwane, FESBC further made allegations against the Inyatsi Group, which are a subject of a court case where the latter seeks interdictory relief stopping Sigwane from continuing with the spread of the malicious and defamatory allegations against the company.
FESBC in its complaint against Montigny lists four points that the competition commission must look into, allegations which have been denied by the forestry company.
According to the federation, there were are allegations that Montigny had blocked access to the Richards Bay Wood Market which was previously enjoyed by the local forest business, and has forced them to sell their wood through them for further resale to the final market at very low prices.
“The acquisition of the forest fields, which were originally planted or established by the Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC) for the Swazi forest interested businesses, have now been taken by Montigny leaving the local businesses out of business and causing unfair competition,” further alleged the federation.
They further stated that the registration of the local forest fields as South African timbre deprived the Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) taxes and the country at large, which was reducing the country’s tax revenue.
The federation further called on the Commission to probe allegations of the unfair treatment of local forest harvesting contractors, who were mainly owned by Emaswati.
The unfair treatment, according to FESBC, included among others, unfair contractual engagements, alleged high rate of foreigners in higher positions of contractors. It further raised concern about the Commission’s turnaround time in terms of dealing and responding to their letters.
“Please assist in taking these matters with the level it deserves for the benefit of the country, hence your swift action will be highly appreciated. Let us know at soonest convenience time towards this matter so that we can give feedback to members,” FESBC said.
The federation also said it appreciated an official response from the Commission to ensure that there was a clear sense of direction on the matters raised above to the sustainable development of the business community in the country.
Eswatini Competition Commission Communications Officer, Londiwe Qwabe, when asked whether they had received the FESBC complaint, said no comment.
For More News And Analysis About Eswatini Follow Africa-Press
