What is Consumer Protection Act?
The Consumer Protection Act (CPA) aims to “promote fairness, openness and good business practices between suppliers of goods and services and Consumers of these goods and services”.
Consumer Protection Act South Africa Contact Details
Government Bodies
| Consumer Commission | 0861 843 384 |
| Public Protector | Tel: 012 366 7000Fax: 012 262 3473Toll free: 0800 112 040 |
| Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) | Tel: 012 394 9500Call share: 0861 843 384 |
| Tribunal | Tel: 012 663 5615Fax: 012 663 5693 |
Consumer NGO’s
| South African National Consumer Union | Tel: 012 428 7122Fax: 0866 728585 |
| National Consumer Forum | Tel: 012 428 7071Fax: 012 428 7284/5019 |
| National Black Consumer Union | Tel: 011 982 2585 |
Consumer Complaints:
Complaints may be made by any consumer, or by an interested person on behalf of a consumer. Public interest cases may be brought by NGOs on behalf of consumers. The Act provides for Special legal remedies such as:
- Class actions,
- Damages,
- Discrimination complaints may be brought to both the Equality Court and the National Consumer Commission for referral to the Equality Court.
Processes:
- Consumers are encouraged to go to the supplier as their first port of call to resolve the dispute.
- If there is no resolution, refer the matter to a Dispute Resolution Agent, who will attempt to resolve the matter through an Alternative Dispute Resolution process.
- Then referral by the NCC of minor matters to the Provincial Office which will escalate the matter to Provincial Consumer Courts.
- Then the Commission/ Tribunal is the last resolution to individual complaints.
The National Consumer Commission will investigate complaints, and refer cases to the Consumer Tribunal. The Consumer Tribunal will have the authority to declare the act contravened, order changes in practice, impose administrative fines, and interdict future prohibited practices.
WHERE TO COMPLAIN:
The Consumer Protection Act aims to promote consumer activism, by making provision for the accreditation of consumer groups tasked with lodging complaints on behalf of consumers, as well as making available support for activities, such as consumer advice, education, publications, research, and alternative dispute resolution through mediation or conciliation.
As such, the Act gives rise to the establishment of the National Consumer Commission, a body assigned to investigate consumer complaints, as well as the National Consumer Tribunal, the latter of which was created by the National Credit Act in September 2006 and is responsible for the adjudication of violations and transgressions of the National Credit Act and the Consumer Protection Act.
Where do I report consumer complaints in South Africa?
National Consumer Commission (The) (NCC)
- https://www.thencc.gov.za/
- Email:
- PO Box 36628, Menlo park, 0102.
- The National Consumer Commission, Building C South African Bureau of Standards Campus, 1 Dr.
- 012 428 7000.
- 086 758 4990.
- National Government Directory: State-owned enterprises and other public entities.
Who protects consumers in South Africa?
The mission of the National Consumer Commission (NCC) is to promote compliance with the Consumer Protection Act through advocacy and enforcement, in order to ensure fair business practice and uphold the social and economic welfare of consumers.