Nkonzo Hlatshwayo, Director & Head of Competition and Africa Practice, Lawtons Africa

Nkonzo Hlatshwayo has considerable experience in competition law spanning over 23 years. Having been involved in the development and evolution of competition law in South Africa and other parts of the continent, he is particularly qualified to advise clients on competition law issues on the continent.

Nkonzo focuses on general competition work. He represents parties in merger proceedings, complaint proceedings, intervention applications, leniency applications, as well as cross-border merger transactions and investigations.

He also advises on competition law compliance and audits, providing strategic insights to clients on how to embrace risk without crossing the line.

Previously, he served as a director of the erstwhile Competition Board and later became the founding head of the Mergers & Acquisitions Division of the Competition Commission. He also managed and oversaw both the Enforcement and Exemptions and Legal Services Divisions of the Competition Commission for a short period. In addition, he served in a Deputy Commissioner capacity for two years.

Nkonzo was also appointed Chairman of the Swaziland Competition Commission in 2012, where he served for 3½ years.

Nkonzo has handled a number of regional competition matters and appeared before various competition authorities in the region including COMESA, CAK of Kenya, FCC of Tanzania, the CCPC of Zambia, the NCC of Namibia, the Eswatini Competition Commission and others.

He was a lecturer in law for several years, teaching company law, constitutional law, the law of property and commercial law for non-law students. He has published academic articles and co-authored a book on human rights.