The companies mentioned in the case are Chevron; Engen; Shell; Total; Sasol, BP and the South African Petroleum Industry Association (SAPIA). The first six respondents, who are all members of SAPIA, are oil companies active in the production, marketing and distribution of various petroleum products in South Africa. The Competition Commission said the referral followed after an investigation which started in January 2009, based on information from various sources.
The investigation reportedly revealed “collusive conduct through extensive exchanges of commercially sensitive information” between the companies. According to the Commission’s investigation, the information exchange started in the late 1980s, and, from 2005, was largely coordinated through SAPIA.
