30 Apr 2026

The Competition and Consumer Tribunal has drawn a firm line in a long-running insurance cartel case dating back to 2019, warning that no further delays will be tolerated. The President of the Tribunal, Advocate Sonwabile Mancotywa, issued the warning Thursday morning after proceedings involving insurance companies Botswana Insurance Company, Old Mutual and automotive parts supplier Autoboys failed to proceed, forcing a postponement of the matter to June. The case had been scheduled for a roll call, but was halted after legal representatives for Autoboys indicated their intention to withdraw, citing a potential conflict of interest following a settlement reached with Hollard Insurance Botswana. “ENOUGH DELAYS” Expressing concern, Advocate Mancotywa emphasised that the matter is of significant public interest and carries far-reaching implications for ordinary citizens and the nation at large. He cautioned legal teams representing the insurance companies that no further delays would be tolerated, signalling a push by the Tribunal to bring the matter to finality. MULTI-BILLION PULA MARKET AT STAKE The case involves major players in Botswana’s insurance sector, collectively estimated to account for around 70 percent of the motor insurance market. At issue are allegations that insurers engaged in coordinated conduct to: impose mark-ups on spare parts dictate labour costs to panel beaters and control sourcing of repair components The outcome of the case is expected to have significant implications for competition, pricing and consumer protection across a sector worth billions of pula annually. CASE DRAGGING SINCE 2019 The matter traces back to March 2019, when panel beaters lodged complaints with the Competition and Consumer Authority, alleging anti-competitive conduct by major insurers. The complaints triggered a multi-year investigation, including raids and eventual legal proceedings against key industry players. Despite the seriousness of the allegations, the case has now stretched over several years without resolution. FIRST BREAKTHROUGH The latest court developments come just a day after a major breakthrough in the case. Hollard Insurance Botswana reached a settlement with the Competition and Consumer Authority, admitting to anti-competitive conduct and agreeing to pay a penalty of P4.8 million. The settlement marks Botswana’s first confirmed cartel case, with Hollard also undertaking to cooperate in the prosecution of the remaining companies. WHAT IS AT STAKE At the centre of the dispute is the relationship between insurers and panel beaters — a critical link in how motor insurance claims are processed. Panel beaters have long alleged that insurers: dictated repair prices controlled parts supply chains and limited their independence If proven across the sector, the conduct could have shaped pricing and competition in a market that directly affects thousands of motorists. WHAT NEXT With the case now postponed to June, attention will turn to whether the Tribunal’s warning will accelerate proceedings in what is increasingly seen as one of the most consequential competition cases in Botswana.