SAPS face mask supplier accused of excessive pricing

Pretoria, Gauteng, SA (March 08, 2021) – A Covid-19 excessive pricing case, involving the supply of 500 000 surgical face masks to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for its employees, will start in the Tribunal today.
      Tsutsumani Business Enterprises cc supplies a variety of products, required mainly by government, through tenders issued by departments and municipalities. It is accused by the Competition Commission of charging the SAPS excessive prices for 500 000 3-ply surgical face masks in April 2020, in response to a request for quotes (RFQ) issued by the SAPS for the procurement of personal protective equipment.
      In papers before the Tribunal, the Commission says that the SAPS, given the central role that it was to play in the control of the Covid-19 pandemic, was under pressure at the time to acquire PPE for its employees as quickly as possible. In addition, the SAPS was stuck with only the suppliers who responded to the RFQ, regardless of the price. Tsutsumani was one of 18 suppliers contracted to supply the SAPS with face masks. The SAPS had wanted to procure a total of 10-million face masks at the time.
      Tsutsumani has denied the excessive pricing allegations.
      The hearing is set down for today and tomorrow. The Tribunal expects to hear submissions from both the Commission and Tsutsumani. Those wishing to follow the online proceedings are requested to contact the Tribunal’s Communications Officer to access the online hearing link. - Gillian de Gouveia, communications officer, +27 (0)82 410 1195, GillianD@comptrib.co.za