Netcare: Rebuff of KPMG opposition hailed

ACTIVIST group Section27 welcomed yesterday the dismissal of Netcare’s application to stop KPMG from helping the Competition Commission’s inquiry into the private health sector. The South Gauteng High Court dismissed the application with costs on Friday. “The court has made clear that stakeholders must co-operate with the inquiry rather than attempt to hide information or disrupt the inquiry,” Section27 said. The commission “must use all the tools at its disposal to ensure a robust inquiry that will achieve its constitutional mandate”. Netcare had objected to the commission’s use of KPMG’s services for the inquiry. It argued there was a conflict of interest as KPMG had previously done work for Netcare and had access to confidential documents. The market inquiry is headed by former chief justice Sandile Ngcobo. – Sapa