Competition Law & Antitrust Law in Zimbabwe

In Zimbabwe, competition law is regulated by the Competition Act [Chapter 14:28]. In the United States of America (USA), competition law is known as anti- trust law. The principal aim of competition law, is to protect competition and maximise consumer welfare in society. Leading scholars Whish and Bailey noted that:

‘As a general proposition competition law consists of rules that are intended to protect the process of competition in order to maximise consumer welfare. Competition law has grown at a phenomenal rate in recent years in response to the enormous changes in political thinking and economic behaviour that have taken place around the world.’

The Supreme Court in Innscor Africa Ltd & Another v Competition and Tariff Commission SC 52-18 held that:

‘Competition in any marketplace for the production or supply of goods or services is necessary for achieving economic growth and development. Competition policy is formulated to encourage, improve and protect the competition process for the benefit of consumers through monitoring and regulating business conduct that is actually or potentially anti-competitive and capable of depriving consumers of the benefits associated with a competitive market.’