Lawyers representing the Pistorius family in an alleged cartel case have failed to have the charges against their clients’ company dismissed.
The company‚ Hendrik Pistorius & Co‚ which was founded by Oscar Pistorius’ grandfather‚ and eight other respondents who are facing charges of collusion‚ appeared before the Competition Commission Tribunal on Thursday.
The Pistorius company‚ which deals in agricultural lime‚ allegedly colluded with agents in the agriculture sector to have its product solemnly marketed‚ distributed and sold to farmers between 1995 and 2008.
The Commission discovered the discrepancies after one of the Pistorius’ customers complained about excessive pricing‚ price discrimination‚ and price fixing.
“The respondents contravened section 4(1)(b)(i) of the Act by entering into agreements and/or concerted practice to fix the amounts of the agents’ commissions‚” said the commission in its founding affidavit.
But the lawyers for the Pistorius family company argued that the matter must be dismissed as the charges fell outside of the seven years allowed for a prosecution.
They also cited the incorrect attribution of the company’s name to the charges‚ saying it was the Hendrik Pistorius Trust that was the trading company.
The Commission asked for a postponement‚ citing difficulties in finding one of the company’s trustees‚ and to be allowed to amend charges against the correct entity. It also said it was still within the prosecution period‚ as the colluding had gone on until 2009.
The Tribunal granted the postponement.
Pistorius family facing charges of collusion
The company‚ Hendrik Pistorius & Co‚ which was founded by Oscar Pistorius’ grandfather‚ and eight other respondents who are facing charges of collusion‚ appeared before the Competition Commission Tribunal on Thursday.
The Pistorius company‚ which deals in agricultural lime‚ allegedly colluded with agents in the agriculture sector to have its product solemnly marketed‚ distributed and sold to farmers between 1995 and 2008.
The Commission discovered the discrepancies after one of the Pistorius’ customers complained about excessive pricing‚ price discrimination‚ and price fixing.
“The respondents contravened section 4(1)(b)(i) of the Act by entering into agreements and/or concerted practice to fix the amounts of the agents’ commissions‚” said the commission in its founding affidavit.
But the lawyers for the Pistorius family company argued that the matter must be dismissed as the charges fell outside of the seven years allowed for a prosecution.
They also cited the incorrect attribution of the company’s name to the charges‚ saying it was the Hendrik Pistorius Trust that was the trading company.
The Commission asked for a postponement‚ citing difficulties in finding one of the company’s trustees‚ and to be allowed to amend charges against the correct entity. It also said it was still within the prosecution period‚ as the colluding had gone on until 2009.
The Tribunal granted the postponement.
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