Campaign to help consumers know their rights

The campaign, which is a Department of Trade and Industry (dti) initiative, will be rolled out nationally until 28 February.

"The campaign will mostly target rural areas. We have noticed that many people who are vulnerable are consumers who live in rural areas, where service providers take them for granted and render poor services or sell them harmful products," said dti spokesman Bongani Lukhele on Monday.

Lukhele said consumers in rural areas tend to lack information concerning their rights as consumers.

Consumer courts

He said the Act, which takes effect from 1 April, will be implemented by a body called the National Consumer Commission.

Consumer courts will also be created in all the provinces.

"Currently we have consumer courts in some of the provinces, but after the Act goes into effect, more courts will be made available, especially closer to the public," said Lukhele.

Lukhele said the campaign will include newspaper adverts, radio interviews and community outreach.

"During the campaign, we will be making emphasis on the right to choose, right to fair value and good quality which provide consumers with redress on goods and services," he said.

Lukhele warned that the Act will not only deal with shops and service providers. He said suppliers will also be held responsible for unsatisfactory products.

"The Act may lead to other shops or suppliers being banned to sell or make products in the country. It is the consumer's responsibility in most cases to know their rights and make sure that they practice them," he said.

He urged customers to make sure that they ask for slips in all items that they buy to enable them to return harmful or expired goods.

Lukhele said dates for the community outreach will be announced.