According to new regulations as part of the Disaster Management Act, signed by minister of trade and industry Ebrahim Patel, companies are not allowed to hike prices for a list of goods by more than the increases in the cost to produce these products.
These are the products:
- toilet paper
- hand sanitiser
- facial masks
- disinfectants and cleaners
- surgical gloves
- surgical masks
- disinfectant wipes
- antiseptic liquids
- all-purpose cleaners
- baby formula
- disposable nappies
- bleach
- cooking oils
- wheat flour
- rice
- maize meal
- pasta
- sugar
- long-life milk
- canned and frozen vegetables
- canned, froze and fresh meat, chicken or fish
- bottled water
Prices for private medical services relating to the testing, prevention and treatment of the coronavirus will also be covered by the new regulations. The new regulations also mention that maximum prices could be set on private medical goods and services relating to the testing, prevention and treatment of Covid-19. Culprits could face fines of up to R1 million or 10% of a firm’s turnover, and imprisonment for up to 12 months.
