Aveng acts against colluders - report

Johannesburg - Employees at construction company Aveng who were involved in the construction collusion scandal have either been demoted, dismissed or forfeited their bonuses, Business Report reported on Monday.

Aveng chairperson Angus Band explained at a general meeting how the company held executives and employees involved in anti-competitive behaviour accountable, the publication reported.

Action taken included the suspension of seven employees pending disciplinary hearings, five of whom resigned while the other two were dismissed; eight other employees resigned before action could be taken against them; and two employees were demoted.

Employment was terminated of an executive director and a senior executive who joined the company during internal investigation to discover what happened and were found to be involved in anti-competitive behaviour themselves.

Eleven other employees forfeited their entire annual incentive, including share allocations.

Band said the majority of those involved in collusive activities were no longer employed by the company.

Fifteen companies were found by the Competition Commission to be involved in "collusive practices" in 300 projects that included sports stadiums, other buildings, and roads around the country.

In June, the companies settled with the commission, agreeing to pay R1.46bnn in penalties.

Aveng agreed to pay R306.57 million in respect of 17 prohibited practices or contravention of the Competition Act.