The Consumer Protection Act (CPA) aims to promote fairness in the marketplace for both suppliers and consumers.
The equal treatment of consumers is one of the values entrenched by the Act. It gives consumers the right to demand that they be offered proper products and services.
Also read:
The Consumer Protection Act for dummies – Part 1
The Consumer Protection Act for dummies – Part 2
If a consumer wants to lodge a complaint in terms of the Act, where does he or she begin?
• Contacting the supplier of goods or services will be a good start.
Express your dissatisfaction and keep detailed records of what you had said and who you spoke with. If possible, stick to written communication, as this makes record-keeping easier. If you have purchased defective goods, contact the manufacturer as well as the supplier thereof and demand that your rights in terms of the CPA be honoured.
• South Africa has a number of unions and regulators that aim to promote the interests of consumers.
This includes the National Consumer Commission and the National Consumer Forum. You can also take your complaint up with consumer unions, such as the SA National Consumer Union. However, if the problem cannot be resolved by a consumer union, it should be taken up with the relevant Provincial Consumer Affairs office.
• Mpumalanga’s Provincial Consumer Affairs office can be contacted on 013-766-4802.
• If your query has still not been resolved, the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court employees will be able to assist you in instituting proceedings in the Equality Court. The court building is located at 17 Bester Street, Mbombela.
• If your complaint is against a government institution, you must approach the Public Protector by dialling 0800-11-20-40 toll-free.
