Three South African recruitment advertising agencies were the subject of a dawn raid by the country’s Competition Commission this week after allegedly colluding when bidding for tenders. 

According to the commission, the agencies – Human Communications, Kone Staffing Solutions and JobVest, which all place job ads and collate responses for clients – allegedly discuss each other’s responses to quotes, then decide on the price each would tender for its services. 

It is also alleged they agree how to rotate advertising work among them, all of which is prohibited by the country’s Competition Act. 

The companies’ clients include government departments. 

Recruiter contacted all three companies, but had not heard back by deadline.

According to South African news service BDlive, Human Communications initially denied a raid was taking place, saying it was an audit. 

• Want to comment on this story? The Comment box is at the bottom of the page. Sorry for the glitch but just scroll right down and share your opinions!