Albert Aukema

Director

Albert Aukema is a Director in our Competition Law practice. He specialises in all aspects of competition law. Albert has extensive experience in merger and prohibited practice proceedings before the competition authorities and appeal courts in South Africa. He also regularly advises on multi-jurisdictional mergers and has significant experience in obtaining merger approval across a wide range of jurisdictions and community bodies. Albert sector experience includes significant transactions and investigations for clients in the non-alcoholic beverages, security services, pharmaceutical, mining and telecommunications sectors. His also advises clients on consumer protection and consumer credit law and compliance.

Albert Aukema

About Albert

Albert obtained an LLB degree from the University of Pretoria and practices as a Director in the Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Competition Law practice. 

Areas of expertise

Experience

  • Guiding clients through merger investigation proceedings and hearings and obtaining merger approvals.

  • Coordinating and obtaining merger approvals for multijurisdictional transactions.

  • Representing clients in merger and complaint proceedings before the competition authorities and appeal courts.

  • Advising on the competition regulatory regimes of other African jurisdictions and regional bodies.

  • Advising clients in the consumer credit and consumer goods sectors in relation to on-going developments in competition, consumer credit and consumer protection law and regulation.

  • Acted for Fidelity Security in obtaining merger approval for its acquisition of the ADT Security business in South Africa.

  • Acted for The Coca Cola Company (TCCC) in obtaining merger approval in various jurisdictions for the creation of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa – an amalgamation of the Coca-Cola bottling assets of SABMiller, Coca-Cola Sabco, Coca-Cola Shanduka Beverages and TCCC to form the largest Coca-Cola Bottler in Africa. The transaction also included the acquisition by TCCC of a number of SABMiller non-alcoholic ready to drink brands, including Appletiser.

  • Acted for RMB Holdings in obtaining merger approval for its acquisition an interest in Propertuity Limited.

  • Acted for RMB Holdings in obtaining merger approval for its acquisition of an interest in Atterbury Property Holdings Proprietary Limited.

  • Acted for the Public Investment Corporation in obtaining merger approval for its acquisition of an interest in Sub-Saharan Investment Holdings Proprietary Limited.

  • Represented Delta Property Fund Limited, a specialist, REIT status approved listed property fund, in obtaining merger approval for its acquisition of a portfolio of sovereign tenanted properties from Redefine Properties Limited, valued at R1,25 billion.

  • Acted for Old Mutual Life Assurance Company (SA) Limited and the Government Employees Pension Fund in obtaining merger approval for the asset swop involving undivided shares in the Menlyn and Cavendish Square retail properties.

  • Acted for Fidelity Security in obtaining merger approval for its acquisition of various security services businesses from the Protea Coin group.

Recognition

  • Chambers Global 2026 ranked Albert in Band 4 for competition/antitrust. 2023–2025 ranked him in Band 5 for competition/antitrust.
  • Chambers Global 2020–2022 ranked him as an “Up & Coming” competition/antitrust lawyer.
  • The Legal 500 EMEA 2021–2025 recommended Albert for competition.

Credentials

Education

  • LLB, University of Pretoria
  • Certificate in Advanced Competition Law, University of the Witwatersrand
  • Registered with the Legal Practice Council
  • Year of admission as an attorney - 2010

LANGUAGES

  • English

News

Newsflash: Proposed changes to merger thresholds
Competition Law

Newsflash: Proposed changes to merger thresholds

After a long period of no adjustments to the merger thresholds, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition (Minister) recently published proposed amendments to the merger thresholds...

The Competition Commission’s New Groove: A Business-Friendly Shift
Competition Law

The Competition Commission’s New Groove: A Business-Friendly Shift

Practice Head Chris Charter and Directors Albert Aukema and Reece May were recently featured in Ghost Mail, where they discussed: “The Competition Commission’s New Groove: A Business-Friendly Shift?”

The National Consumer Tribunal’s unprecedented approach to unfair pricing
Competition Law

The National Consumer Tribunal’s unprecedented approach to unfair pricing

In the recent decision of Julie Williams v Cell C Ltd, NCT/300948/2023/75(1)(b) , the National Consumer Tribunal (Tribunal) made a notable finding regarding pricing practices.

When does an internal restructure need approval from the competition authorities?  The Competition Commission provides its views in its draft guidelines
Competition Law

When does an internal restructure need approval from the competition authorities? The Competition Commission provides its views in its draft guidelines

On 24 January 2025, the Competition Commission (Commission) published its draft guidelines on internal restructuring (Draft Guidelines). These Draft Guidelines, although not final,...

Constitutional Court clarifies when retrenchments are merger specific
Competition Law

Constitutional Court clarifies when retrenchments are merger specific

South Africa faces one of the highest unemployment rates in the world. This is the primary reason that the Competition Commission (Commission) must consider the effect on employment...

Crouching dragon, paper tiger? Casting light on the powers of the Competition Commission in market inquiries
Competition Law

Crouching dragon, paper tiger? Casting light on the powers of the Competition Commission in market inquiries

” Suit the action to the word, the word to the action; with this special observance, that you o’er-step not the modesty of nature ” Hamlet Act 3 Scene 2 The Competition Commission...

Striking the balance: The correct approach to competing public interest considerations
Competition Law

Striking the balance: The correct approach to competing public interest considerations

The Competition Amendment Act 18 of 2018 (Amendment Act), was signed into law on 13 February 2019 by President Cyril Ramaphosa. It made several significant amendments to the Competition...

Pre-closing merger notifications to the Egyptian Competition Authority are now mandatory
Competition Law

Pre-closing merger notifications to the Egyptian Competition Authority are now mandatory

Transactions constituting “ economic concentrations ” now require pre-closing clearance in Egypt. Egypt has substantially altered its merger control regime by amending the Protection...

When there is no thread of evidence: Inferential reasoning in cartel cases clarified by the Competition Appeal Court in alleged blanket cartel
Competition Law

When there is no thread of evidence: Inferential reasoning in cartel cases clarified by the Competition Appeal Court in alleged blanket cartel

On 17 December 2021, the Competition Appeal Court (CAC) handed down its judgment in Aranda Textile Mills (Pty) Ltd & Mzansi Blanket Supplies (Pty) Ltd v the Competition Commission...

Competition in the agricultural sector
Agriculture, Aquaculture & Fishing

Competition in the agricultural sector

Spurred by a combination of recent developments, including the competition authorities’ continuous monitoring of essential food items pursuant to the COVID-19 pandemic, the recent...

Not in the public interest: Competition Appeal Court dismisses appeal to vary settlement agreement by removing admission of guilt
Competition Law

Not in the public interest: Competition Appeal Court dismisses appeal to vary settlement agreement by removing admission of guilt

The Competition Appeal Court (CAC) recently confirmed the Competition Tribunal’s (Tribunal) decision (discussed here ) to dismiss the request by Life Wise (Pty) Ltd t/a Elan Auto Body...

Variation application dismissed: panel beaters request to vary settlement agreement denied by the competition tribunal
Competition Law

Variation application dismissed: panel beaters request to vary settlement agreement denied by the competition tribunal

During August 2020, a consent (settlement) agreement entered into between Life Wise (Pty) Ltd t/a, Eldan Auto Body (Eldan), and the Competition Commission (Commission) was confirmed...

The Amazon is a river in Africa
Competition Law

The Amazon is a river in Africa

Competition in digital markets is a focus area for many countries at the moment. The US and the EU are looking in detail at digital markets, and in South Africa there is an ongoing...

Key competition law updates in Africa: Part 1
Competition Law

Key competition law updates in Africa: Part 1

This alert will form part of a three-part series and will cover key competition law developments at the COMESA Competition Commission and Namibian Competition Commission in the first...

Beyond COVID-19: Recent abuse of dominance and prohibited practice (cartel) settlements (part 2)
Competition Law

Beyond COVID-19: Recent abuse of dominance and prohibited practice (cartel) settlements (part 2)

Following our previous alert detailing the developments in respect of merger control outside the realm of COVID-19 (accessible here ), this alert focusses on other recent - non-pandemic-related...

WEBINAR | Competition and Compromise in a Time of Crisis
Competition Law

WEBINAR | Competition and Compromise in a Time of Crisis

Our panel of experts discussed Competition and Compromise in a Time of Crisis: COVID-19 and Competition Law Enforcement. Watch the webinar below.

Newsflash: Proposed changes to merger thresholds
Competition Law

Newsflash: Proposed changes to merger thresholds

After a long period of no adjustments to the merger thresholds, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition (Minister) recently published proposed amendments to the merger thresholds...

The Competition Commission’s New Groove: A Business-Friendly Shift
Competition Law

The Competition Commission’s New Groove: A Business-Friendly Shift

Practice Head Chris Charter and Directors Albert Aukema and Reece May were recently featured in Ghost Mail, where they discussed: “The Competition Commission’s New Groove: A Business-Friendly Shift?”

The National Consumer Tribunal’s unprecedented approach to unfair pricing
Competition Law

The National Consumer Tribunal’s unprecedented approach to unfair pricing

In the recent decision of Julie Williams v Cell C Ltd, NCT/300948/2023/75(1)(b) , the National Consumer Tribunal (Tribunal) made a notable finding regarding pricing practices.

When does an internal restructure need approval from the competition authorities?  The Competition Commission provides its views in its draft guidelines
Competition Law

When does an internal restructure need approval from the competition authorities? The Competition Commission provides its views in its draft guidelines

On 24 January 2025, the Competition Commission (Commission) published its draft guidelines on internal restructuring (Draft Guidelines). These Draft Guidelines, although not final,...

Constitutional Court clarifies when retrenchments are merger specific
Competition Law

Constitutional Court clarifies when retrenchments are merger specific

South Africa faces one of the highest unemployment rates in the world. This is the primary reason that the Competition Commission (Commission) must consider the effect on employment...

Crouching dragon, paper tiger? Casting light on the powers of the Competition Commission in market inquiries
Competition Law

Crouching dragon, paper tiger? Casting light on the powers of the Competition Commission in market inquiries

” Suit the action to the word, the word to the action; with this special observance, that you o’er-step not the modesty of nature ” Hamlet Act 3 Scene 2 The Competition Commission...

Striking the balance: The correct approach to competing public interest considerations
Competition Law

Striking the balance: The correct approach to competing public interest considerations

The Competition Amendment Act 18 of 2018 (Amendment Act), was signed into law on 13 February 2019 by President Cyril Ramaphosa. It made several significant amendments to the Competition...

Pre-closing merger notifications to the Egyptian Competition Authority are now mandatory
Competition Law

Pre-closing merger notifications to the Egyptian Competition Authority are now mandatory

Transactions constituting “ economic concentrations ” now require pre-closing clearance in Egypt. Egypt has substantially altered its merger control regime by amending the Protection...

When there is no thread of evidence: Inferential reasoning in cartel cases clarified by the Competition Appeal Court in alleged blanket cartel
Competition Law

When there is no thread of evidence: Inferential reasoning in cartel cases clarified by the Competition Appeal Court in alleged blanket cartel

On 17 December 2021, the Competition Appeal Court (CAC) handed down its judgment in Aranda Textile Mills (Pty) Ltd & Mzansi Blanket Supplies (Pty) Ltd v the Competition Commission...

Competition in the agricultural sector
Agriculture, Aquaculture & Fishing

Competition in the agricultural sector

Spurred by a combination of recent developments, including the competition authorities’ continuous monitoring of essential food items pursuant to the COVID-19 pandemic, the recent...

Not in the public interest: Competition Appeal Court dismisses appeal to vary settlement agreement by removing admission of guilt
Competition Law

Not in the public interest: Competition Appeal Court dismisses appeal to vary settlement agreement by removing admission of guilt

The Competition Appeal Court (CAC) recently confirmed the Competition Tribunal’s (Tribunal) decision (discussed here ) to dismiss the request by Life Wise (Pty) Ltd t/a Elan Auto Body...

Variation application dismissed: panel beaters request to vary settlement agreement denied by the competition tribunal
Competition Law

Variation application dismissed: panel beaters request to vary settlement agreement denied by the competition tribunal

During August 2020, a consent (settlement) agreement entered into between Life Wise (Pty) Ltd t/a, Eldan Auto Body (Eldan), and the Competition Commission (Commission) was confirmed...

The Amazon is a river in Africa
Competition Law

The Amazon is a river in Africa

Competition in digital markets is a focus area for many countries at the moment. The US and the EU are looking in detail at digital markets, and in South Africa there is an ongoing...

Key competition law updates in Africa: Part 1
Competition Law

Key competition law updates in Africa: Part 1

This alert will form part of a three-part series and will cover key competition law developments at the COMESA Competition Commission and Namibian Competition Commission in the first...

Beyond COVID-19: Recent abuse of dominance and prohibited practice (cartel) settlements (part 2)
Competition Law

Beyond COVID-19: Recent abuse of dominance and prohibited practice (cartel) settlements (part 2)

Following our previous alert detailing the developments in respect of merger control outside the realm of COVID-19 (accessible here ), this alert focusses on other recent - non-pandemic-related...

From vision to fruition.