Effective empowerment of consumers will be an important spur to enterprises to raise their competitive, stimulate innovation, product and service choice. This was said by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, at the launch of the National Consumer Commission which took place in Pretoria today. The Commission,which opens its doors on 1 April, is the creation of the new Consumer Protection Act, which also comes into effect on 1 April.
“The Consumer Commission will be a key pillar in implementing the consumer protection legislation. The Act requires that the Commission plays an active and proactive role in strengthening consumer protection. The Act makes provision for a comprehensive and over-arching consumer law of general application that will regulate the interaction between businesses and consumers in the market place and provides more protection to consumers that was not provided for in previous legislation,” said Minister Davies.
He explained that the launch of the Commission was a culmination of a process dating back to 2004 when a national consumer survey sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry revealed that South Africans had very little information regarding their rights.
“The survey revealed that this ignorance on the part of the majority of consumers, especially those in poor communities and those in rural areas was leading to a host of abuses. These include misleading and bait advertising, the non-honouring of guarantees, abuse of information, non-disclosure, unfair contract terms and poor product quality,” added Minister Davies.
Minister Davies also said one of the key features of the Act was the recognition of the need for strong partnerships between government and civil society. This he explained meant that the non-profit sector will be encouraged to provide face-to-face consumer protection services such as legal advice, counselling and mediation. The Act provides for the accreditation of consumer protection groups and support for activities such as consumer advice, education, publications, research and alternative dispute resolution through mediation and conciliation.
The National Consumer Commissioner, Mamodupi Mohlala, said the launch heralded a new era for consumer protection in South Africa.
“Today is a proud day for us as the National Consumer Commission, for we are at the doorstep of a major consumer revolution. This revolution is being ushered in by the promulgation and coming in to operation of the Consumer Protection Act on 1 April. This is an act that for the first time protects consumer rights in an uncompromising manner in the South African landscape,” she added.
For more information contact
Sidwell Medupe
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Clement Manoko
Tel: 012 394 1712
Cell: 082 311 8931
E-mail: NManoko@thedti.gov.za
Source: Department of Trade and Industry
