Biography

The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Ebrahim Patel announced his decision to appoint Ms Doris Tshepe as the new Commissioner for one of the country’s most significant economic regulators, the Competition Commission.

Cabinet was briefed on the decision and gave its support to the decision. Ms Tshepe will commence duties as Competition Commissioner by (01)September 2022.

“Ms Doris Tshepe has wide experience on matters relating to the mandate of the Competition Commission and has been active in the competition field for many years. She brings deep insights from her work in advising Government on reforms to competition law and as a practitioner representing clients on competition cases,” Minister Patel said.

Ms Doris Tshepe holds a B Proc degree, a LLB degree and an LLM degree in Tax Law. She has been a practicing attorney for more than 20 years specialising in constitutional and administrative law, legislative drafting, media and communication law, commercial law, competition law and employment law with a wide range of public and private sector clients.

She served on an Advisory Panel on the major amendments to the Competition Act, which was signed into law by President Ramaphosa in 2019. She has further served as the attorney in a number of significant competition cases. She served as the Managing Director at a prominent law firm, Cheadle Thompson and Haysom Inc (CTH) until 30 June 2018 and is a member of the Judicial Services Commission (JSC).

Minister Patel thanked outgoing Commissioner Tembinkosi Bonakele for his contribution to the work of the Commission, stretching over 18 years, nine years as Commissioner. “Commissioner Bonakele has played an important role in developing the Competition Commission as an internationally recognised economic regulator. His work to strengthen the Commission’s capacity in cartel and merger investigations has resulted in more competitive markets, substantial numbers of jobs retained, development programmes for small and medium business, and greater levels of investment.

He has ably led efforts to establish South Africa as a leader in competition policy and enforcement internationally, particularly on the African continent,” Minister Patel said. “The Competition Act is one of the most important pieces of economic legislation we have in South Africa; and the Competition Commission one of its most important institutions. Its mandate to ensure competitive markets which keep prices low for consumers, while providing space for small business and historically disadvantaged South Africans to participate. Transformation and economic inclusion are vital to growth in our economy. Commissioner Bonakele had led the Commission to new ground in this period and he leaves behind an institution primed to take on its enhanced mandate under the amendment act,” he said.

During his tenure, the Competition Commission was awarded numerous international awards for excellence. Commissioner Bonakele will continue in his position until Ms Tshepe takes office. The Ministry is in discussion with him on an appropriate set of responsibilities that can utilise his skills and experience in the competition and public policy area after completion of his period as Commissioner.