Free State Economic Development on World Consumer Rights Day celebration

Many consumers share their information on online platforms without being aware of where their personal information ends up. This makes consumers vulnerable to phishing. This came out at the World Consumer Rights Day celebration which was held at Seeisoville Community Hall in Kroonstad under the theme of “Consumer Rights in the Digital Age”.

Speaking at Seeisoville Hall which was full to capacity, MEC Dr Benny Malakoane warned consumers about the dangers of using online platforms. He said that consumers should be careful of which information they share online as it may implicate them.

Hackers have a way of obtaining sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details (and, indirectly, money), often for malicious reasons, by disguising as a trustworthy entity in a digital platform.

World Consumer Rights Day is an annual activity to make consumers aware about their rights. The purpose of the celebration is to educate consumers who attended the event about their rights as consumers, they were informed about the safety of various social media platforms.

The MEC emphasised that consumers who feel hard done by unscrupulous businesses should lodge their complaints to the department’s Consumer Protection Office who will then work with the complaints and find a resolution within 7 working days.

Other organisations partnered with the department for the purpose of disseminating valuable information to consumers include:

Council for Medical Schemes of South Africa (CMS); Credit Ombud; Free State Gambling and Liquor Authority (FSGLA); Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA); National Credit Regulator (NCR); National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA); National Youth Development Agency (NYDA); Road Accident Fund (RAF); Small Business Development Agency (SEDA); Public Protector; Department of Labour (CCMA); Department of Justice; Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).

As per of the celebration, Dr Malakoane also administered the affirmation of office to 10 newly appointed court officials. The ten are:

  • Mr N.M Bahlekazi – chairperson
  • Adv. A. I Lechwano – alternative chairperson
  • Mr. G.A Sefo – member
  • Adv. N.J. Khooe- member
  • Prof. Dr. R. M. Jansen- member
  • Mr. D. P. Huggett- member
  • Me. D. Moeti- alternative member
  • Mr. C.J. Bredenkamp- alternative member
  • Me.S. B. Lockman- alternative member
  • Adv. T.D Segoe-Backward- alternative member

The services at the Consumer Protection Office are speedy, confidential and free of charge. Common complaints that are lodged are used motor vehicles, electric equipments and dodgy contracts. Consumers in Maokeng Kroonstad will get a second episode of consumer awareness in the next week following the successful World Consumer Rights Day 2017 at Seeisoville Community Hall.

Details will be made public soon.

Consumers can contact the Consumer Protection Office at:
Tel: 051 400 9656/ 4857/ 4854/ 4855/ 9612/ 4856
Fax: 086 514 6112
E-mail: radikelt@detea.fs.gov.za

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