The Competition Commission on Friday conducted a search and seizure, or dawn raid, operation at the premises of Gauteng-based fire control and protections systems suppliers Belfa Fire, Cross Fire Management, Fire Control Systems, QD Air, Technological Fire Innovations and Fireco.
The raid formed part of an ongoing investigation into alleged collusive conduct in the market for the provision of fire control and protection systems. The firms allegedly colluded when bidding for tenders for the provision of fire control and protection systems, such as the installation and maintenance of automatic sprinkler systems, hydrants, hose reels and extinguishers.
The commission had reasonable grounds to believe that information relevant to the investigation would be found at the premises of the firms.
It seized documents and electronic data, which would be analysed, together with other information gathered, to determine whether a contravention of the Competition Act had taken place.
In terms of Section 48 of the Competition Act, the commission was authorised to enter and search premises and seize documents, which had a bearing on an investigation. The commission had obtained warrants authorising it to search the premises of the give firms from the Gauteng Division of the High Court of South Africa.