Construction cartel faces another beating

Johannesburg - Fifteen of the construction firms which were fined R1.46bn over a collusion racket will be facing a host of civil damages claims, reported City Press on Sunday.

Last year the Competition Commission fined the major construction firms a collective R1.46bn for anti-competitive behaviour, and inclusive tendering relating to projects concluded between 2006 and 2011.

Now, some of the largest construction companies in the country are set to be slammed with civil damages claims.

The hardest hit appears to be WBHO, which has 27 claim certificates issued against it by the competition tribunal.

The certificates mean those making the claim do not have to prove in court collusion took place, just the quantity of the damages that should be due to them as a result of the companies’ illegal conduct.

Raubex (17), Stefanutti Stocks (16), Murray & Roberts (14), Basil Read (13), Aveng (13) and Haw & Inglis (12) also feature.

Projects for which certificates have been issued include:

- The Cape Town Stadium,
- The FNB Stadium,
- Mbombela Stadium,
- The Gauteng freeway improvement project,
- Durban’s International Convention Centre,
- A University of Cape Town women’s residence,
- A Coega office block development,
- The Berg River dam,
- The Braamhoek quarry dam,
- The Bayhead road extension; and
- The Khangela Bridge.

Split across sectors, the projects cover roads (77), industry (28), stadiums (17), residential (11), water infrastructure (4), municipal infrastructure (3) and retail (1).

Read the full report in City Press.