LPG cartel case goes up in smoke

The Competition Tribunal has dismissed a case of alleged price fixing against five LPG firms.

1. The case was brought to the Tribunal by the Competition Commission.
2. The Commission alleged that the firms had agreed to increase the deposit fee on LPG cylinders for first-time buyers.
3. The alleged agreement resulted in the firms simultaneously increasing the deposit fee to R300.
4. The LPG firms argued that their decision to increase the deposit fee was due to their vertical relationship.
5. They further argued that the CEP delivered benefits to consumers and was not designed to restrict competition.
6. The Tribunal found that the conduct of the LPG firms was not prohibited in terms of the Competition Act.
7. The Tribunal has dismissed the case.