Patel appoints acting competition commissioner

Ebrahim Patel Image: GCIS

Ramburuth's resignation follows an investigation that began in June last year into his suitability to remain in the position. Sunday newspapers reported on Ramburuth's alleged use of taxpayers' money while he visited adult websites.

Bonakele will assume his duties for six months while a recruitment process is undertaken to appoint a new commissioner. He and Ramburuth had been engaged in a leadership challenge that led to Bonakele's resignation earlier this year.

It was said at the time that Patel did not want to accept his resignation.

Ramburuth said on Sunday (20 October) that he believed it was prudent to step aside in order to protect the integrity and effectiveness of the work of the commission and ensure its continued high standards of professionalism.

Repay the money

He undertook to reimburse the commission for the costs incurred during his official visit to Paris in 2011 where he was alleged to have incurred expenses of R120‚000 on the commission's 3G card.

Patel said the commission was a vital institution and had skilled and capable staff who would ensure that it continued to perform its statutory functions. He had appointed Trudi Makhaya and Oliver Josie deputy commissioners following Bonakele's resignation in March.

Although competition law practitioners described Ramburuth's conduct as embarrassing to the commission staff‚ himself and his family‚ they did not believe it would hurt the reputation of the commission or its operations.

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr competition practice head Nick Altini said the commission had a whole executive tier of senior people‚ who had been there for some time. "Although the resignation of the person at the top will have an effect on any organisation‚ there are able people who can keep the ship afloat until there is a new appointment," Altini said

One practitioner‚ who did not want to be identified‚ said the resignation was a blessing. The practitioner said Ramburuth's management style had been difficult for people to deal with. It would have been more damaging to the commission had he done wrong in his professional capacity.