South African watchdog drops opposition to Vodacom’s Maziv deal

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa’s Competition Commission has dropped its opposition to Vodacom’s plan to buy a 30% stake in fibre group Maziv after agreeing revised terms with the parties.

That could increase the chances of the Competition Appeal Court approving the bid by South Africa’s biggest mobile operator to expand its fibre network nationwide.

The Competition Tribunal, to which the Competition Commission makes recommendations, blocked the proposed deal last year, saying it could harm competitors and third parties.