Diageo deal offers a chance for the cartel watchdogs to boost open trading
SA's liquor industry, neglected by successive governments, has a long and unhappy history and its reform is long overdue
The SA liquor industry has a long and unhappy history of competitive inequality. There are hugely powerful players in every sector. All of them acquired their position through mergers and/or acquisitions that were either actively encouraged by the government or rubber-stamped by competition authorities whose telescope was firmly fixed to the blind eye. Since the democratic era there have been few opportunities for any intervention in an industry whose structure was largely inherited from a succession of United Party and National Party governments ready to serve the interests of the production sector at the expense of consumers. Without a doubt the best chance presented itself with the acquisition by AB InBev of SABMiller in 2016. Instead, in exchange for undertakings by the group that employment numbers would be stable for five years; that there would be no forced reductions of staff ; and that unionised employees would not be offered voluntary packages for five years, the Competiti...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.