As South Africa will be hosting the African Cup of Nations 2013 (AFCON 2013), consumers are getting ready to purchase their tickets to the games. The tournament will be held from 19 January to 10 February 2013 in five (5) provinces, namely, Gauteng at Soccer City Stadium, Northwest at Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Eastern Cape at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Mpumalanga at Mbombela Stadium and KwaZulu-Natal at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
The role of the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) in this tournament relates to enforcement of intellectual property, liquor and consumer protection laws.
The dti wishes to advise consumers to ensure that they are protected during this period especially against scams that are often prevalent during events of this nature. These scams may typically relate to sale of tickets, offering of hospitality packages or provision of affordable accommodation during the AFCON 2013. At times consumers are not able to determine who are the valid and accredited suppliers of tickets and thus find themselves with fake tickets for which they paid substantial amounts of money.
In the interest of consumers the dti has, after liaising with AFCON 2013 Local Organising Committee, resolved to issue information on valid points of sale for AFCON 2013 match tickets. Valid match tickets can only be acquired from approved service providers. Consumers are warned not to purchase match tickets from sources that are not accredited by AFCON 2013.
EQ Tickets has been appointed as the exclusive provider of tickets to AFCON 2013 in conjunction with its fulfillment partner Spar stores. Tickets should only be acquired via the EQ Tickets website, Spar and Super Spar stores, EQ Tickets kiosks or the EQ Tickets Call Centre 087 980 3000. A complete list is available on the Spar Website www.spar.co.za and EQ Tickets Website afcon2013booking@eqtickets.com. The tickets contain advanced and extensive security features to ensure authenticity and to avert counterfeits.
Tickets prices range from R50.00 to R200.00 and purchased tickets are not transferable. In terms of the Consumer Protection Act, cancellation and full refund on purchased tickets may be considered in instances where cancellation is due to death or hospitalisation of a consumer.
Know your rights and exercise them by blowing a whistle on any scams that may rob consumers of their hard earned cash. Consumer complaints may be lodged with the National Consumer Commission, an agency of the dti, at:
Call Centre Number: 086 026 6786
E-mail address: NNetshitomboni@thencc.co.za
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe – Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 012 394 1650
Mobile: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Follow us on Twitter @the_dti
