Kaya 959 Reporter
Over the last year, many South Africans had to undergo a COVID 19 test on multiple occasions when they were in contact or showed symptoms of the virus.
The test which was widely considered expensive at R850 has been recently probed.
The Competition Commission on Sunday (12 December) announced an agreement with two of the three major pathology laboratory companies, Ampath and Lancet.
Also Read: President Cyril Ramaphosa tests positive for COVID-19
The two major testing companies agreed to reduce, with immediate, effect that price of Covid-19 PCR tests to R500 from R850 following a three-month investigation that revealed excessive profiteering.
Kaya Biz with Gugulethu Mfuphi spoke to Bheje Majenge, the Chief Legal Counsel at CCSA who outlined factors that led to the decision of slashing exorbitant cost of test, almost two year after the virus was discovered in South Africa.
The price has been reduced from ±R850 to R500 (including VAT). This news comes as South Africa has entered it’s 4th Covid-19 wave.
Also Read: New COVID 19 variant detected in South Africa
The Competition Commission says it seeks to prevent abuse by companies with dominant market positions.



