The Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism joined the consumer organizations around the globe in celebrating the World Consumer Rights Day. “The Consumer Protection structures have to ensure that the consumer voice is heard not at the implementation stage but at the planning stage as most damages occur at the initiation stages”, said MEC, Motlalepula Rosho during the workshop that was held at Mmabatho Palms under the theme “Consumer Justice now”.

“We should exercise restraint in signing contracts before reading them, as that might have adverse consequences, we should not be discouraged from reading voluminous documents written in small print as these may compromise our rights. I commit my Department to the implementation of the United Nations guidelines on consumer protection”, said MEC Rosho.

The day is celebrated worldwide on the 15th of March of every year. This is a concerted effort of International Organization of Consumer Union (IOCU) now Consumer International. During this day Consumer International (CI) encourage authorities responsible for protection of consumers to use the occasion to expose the real danger caused by poor or non-existent consumer protection around the world. Consumer need to be appraised on their rights against poor quality products and irresponsible lending by credit providers.

MEC Rosho enlighten the participants about the case in which a furniture shop obtained a judgement against the consumer for the debt amounting to R3 621.54. The court granted a garnishee order for an amount of R200 on the salary of the complainant to settle the debt. Due to maladministration of the garnishee orders by some legal practitioners, the poor consumer’s paid this debt for a period of nine years.

With the assistance of the Consumer Affairs Office the matter took three and half years for the consumer to obtain relief for unauthorised and unlawful deductions. From the date in which garnishee order was effected, the consumer ended up paying a whopping R21 000 for settlement of judgement debt of R3 620.54.

“This is just an example on how the rights of consumers are infringed by different stakeholders. We therefore urge you to work with government in correcting the wrong doings by some of the legal practitioners and creditors out there. Government has observed that the maladministration of garnishee orders is currently affecting performance of public servants. This was confirmed by Minister Pravin Gordhan during the presentation of his budget speech in February 2013 where he explained that government needs to contain the abuse of garnishee orders”, said Rosho.

The MEC highlighted the need for employees to be empowered on debt management especially those that are about to go on pension so that they may enjoy their pensions. These will be conducted in the next financial year and will be extended to other Provincial Departments.

The celebration was attended by approximately 300 representatives from traditional leaders, councillors, government departments, legal practitioners, NGO’s and community members.

“We as North West government commit ourselves to implement the right to consumer education and right to redress as contained in the guidelines and encapsulated in various legislation, in particular the rights incorporated in the Consumer Protection Act and National Credit Act”, said Rosho.

She further said that the Department will ensure that the Consumer Affairs Court is up and running by the end of this year to consolidate redress mechanisms that are in place.

Issued by Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism
Communication Directorate
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