Wavelengths’ proposed acquisition of Kei Livestock has been approved by the Competition Commission, subject to conditions aimed at protecting access to slaughtering facilities and extending employee ownership benefits.
In a statement issued on Thursday, 22 October 2026, Competition Commission spokesperson Siyabulela Makunga said the parties had agreed to conditions addressing competition and public interest concerns arising from the transaction.
Wavelengths is active in the processed meat industry, with operations that include meat processing plants, abattoirs and cold storage warehouses in the Eastern Cape.
Its products are sold locally and internationally.
Kei Livestock operates an abattoir in the Eastern Cape, where it purchases livestock, slaughters animals and sells meat products and by-products.
The two businesses therefore have overlapping activities in livestock purchasing, slaughtering and the sale of meat-related products.
As part of the conditions, Wavelengths’ group agreed to continue making its slaughtering facilities available to third parties after the merger.
Access must be provided on terms no less favourable than those historically offered to third parties.
The condition is intended to address competition concerns by ensuring that other businesses continue to have access to the group’s slaughtering facilities.
The merger parties also agreed that all qualifying employees of Kei Livestock would become beneficiaries of the acquiring group’s Workers Trust.
This condition addresses public interest concerns relating to employee participation in the benefits of the transaction.
Wavelengths is jointly controlled by the trustees of two trusts.
The Commission’s decision means the acquisition has been approved subject to the agreed conditions.
The transaction was among the merger matters considered at the Commission’s ordinary meeting on 20 October 2026.
