Business Practices Committee Report 67

On 29 September 1998 the Committee faxed a letter to Saber requesting him to fumish the Committee with the physical address of Zen-Corp. The fax was sent at 11h01 on 29 September 1998 and was again ignored by Zen-Corp.

At its meeting on 8 October 1998 the Committee resolved to undertake a section 8(1)(8) investigation into the business practices of Zen-Corp International and Ulov Saber. On 16 October 1998 an official called Zen-Corp at 011-323-1179 to inform them of the impending section 8(l)(a) investigation. It now appeared that Zen-Corp had a telephone answering service. The call was taken by a Ms "X". Tilanie van der Merwe A message was left for Saber. The crux of the message was to inform Saber that notice of the section 8(1)(a) investigation into the business practices of Zen-Corp and himself would be published in the Government Gazette of 23 October 1998. He was asked to call the official urgently as it was still possible at this late stage to come to an agreement in terms of section 9 of the Act. The official again called Zen-Corp number later during the day on 16 October 1998. The operator confirmed that the message was already conveyed to Saber.

The following appeared under Notice 2568 of 1998 in Government Gazette 19363 of 23 October 1998:

"In terms of the provisions of section 8(4) of the Harmful Business Practices Act, 1988 (Act No. 71 of 1988), notice is herewith given that the Business Practices Committee intends undertaking an investigation in terms of section 8(1)(a) of the said Act into the business practices of -

Zen-Corp international, Ulov Saber and any employee, agent and/or representative of any of the aforementioned in respect of the activities of Zen-Corp International.

Any person may within a period of fourteen (14) days from the date of this notice make written representations regarding the above-mentioned investigation to:

The Secretary, Business Practices Committee,

Private Bag X84, PRETORIA, 0001.

Tel: (012) 310 9562 Ms L van Zyl Ref. H101/20/10/37(98)".

Saber did not respond to Notice 2568.