Durban – A Durban butchery owner has been arrested for allegedly using the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak to sell much-needed food and products at inflated prices. The suspect admitted to inflating prices.
The MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Nomusa Dube-Ncube said if the owner is found guilty he would be liable to pay up to a R1 million fine or up to 10% of his business’s annual turnover. There is also a possibility of imprisonment of up to one year, the MEC added.
The butchery owner, who is based in Phoenix was arrested on Wednesday. Officials have looked into allegations of price-hiking by major outlets since then.
Dube-Ncube added that the National Consumer Commission and the Competition Commission were investigating.
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