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Gas Act, 2001 (Act No. 48 of 2001)

Rules

Gas Act Rules, 2021

Chapter 4 : Complaints, Investigations, Inspections and Inquiries

19. Procedures to be followed in investigations and inquiries

 

(1) On receipt of the complaint, the Energy Regulator will immediately assess if the complaint concerns the matter that the Energy Regulator is required to investigate in terms of the Act.

 

(2) If the complaint falls under the investigation jurisdiction of the Energy Regulator, a copy of the non-confidential version of the complaint will be provided to the licensee who is the subject of the complaint to respond to the allegations

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(3) In the case of own initiated investigations or inquiries, the Energy Regulator will prepare written questions based on the information contained in its investigation or inquiry initiation report and forward them to the relevant licensee with the directive to respond thereto.

 

(4) The licensee must submit a written response to the complaint or written questions, as the case may be, to the Energy Regulator within 30 days from the date of receipt of the copy of the non-confidential version of such complaint or written questions in case of an own initiated investigation or inquiry.

 

(5) Upon analysing the responses, the Energy Regulator may summon a licensee and/or any person believed to be in possession of relevant information to the investigation or inquiry to appear before it to give evidence.

 

(6) Persons summoned by the Energy Regulator in the course of an investigation or inquiry will be reimbursed for all associated and reasonable costs within 30 days of receipt of documentary proof of such costs.

 

(7) The Energy Regulator will first issue preliminary findings on its investigation or inquiry and afford the licensee and any other interested or affected parties an opportunity to make further representations in accordance with the relevant consultation process laid down in Rule 15 or 16 of these Rules.

 

(8) At the close of the consultation process contemplated in the preceding sub-rule, all further representations received, if any, will be considered and the final findings will be formulated.

 

(9) The final findings will be communicated to the complainant and relevant licensee in writing at the conclusion of the investigation or inquiry.