The Competition Tribunal has confirmed a settlement agreement between the Competition Commission and Natal Witness Publishing and Printing Company (Pty) Ltd. In the settlement Natal Witness admits that it contravened the Competition Act and agrees to pay a penalty of R255 528.00.

The settlement comes after the Commission investigated a joint venture, Lincroft, established by Natal Witness and Caxton and CTP Publishers and Printers Ltd. According to the Commission the obligation that the Lincroft partners act in their mutual best interest, and in the best interest of the joint venture, amounted to an agreement to divide markets in the Howick area. Both parties are no longer partners in the Lincroft joint venture.