National Consumer Commission

THE NATIONAL CONSUMER COMMISSION NOW AND INTO THE

FUTURE

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NCCMINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY DR

ROB DAVIES;DEPUTY MINISTER Me THABETHEDIRECTOR GENERAL DTI NTATE OCTOBERDEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL Me NTULIALL CEO’s , CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRYDIGNITARIES AND ALL PRESENT AND ALL

PROTOCOL OBSERVEDDUMELANG BAGAYESO

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NCC Today is A PROUD DAY FOR US as the

National Consumer Commission for WE ARE AT THE DOOR STEP OF A MAJOR CONSUMER REVOLUTION

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NCCThis REVOLUTION is being ushered in by

the promulgation and coming into operation of the Consumer Protection Act on the 01 APRIL 2011;

This is an Act that for the first time protects CONSUMER RIGHTS IN AN UNCOMPROMISING MANNER IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN LANDSCAPE.

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NCCThe CPA also creates :

Establishes the NATIONAL CONSUMER COMMISSION to ensure enforcement and protections of rights espoused therein;

The much needed balance in the MARKET PLACE BY BALANCING BARGAINING POWER BETWEEN CONSUMERS AND BUSINESS;

Provides a MECHANISM FOR REDRESS FOR CONSUMERS.

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OUTLINE During my speech today i will deal with two

basic issues:

Systems put in place in anticipation of the launch;

Key initiative to be undertaken by the commission going forward especially in the next financial year.

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ACTIVITIES TO DATE1 PROVINCIAL VISITSWorked tirelesslyProvincial visitsVisited all nine provincesSome of the provinces we had the pleasure of meeting members of

their consumer tribunals or CourtsWe explored resource availability specifically

Rank of official heading the office Systems and turn around times with respect to dispute resolution IT systems Areas of co – operation

Recommendation to the Minster to be discussed with his the MEC’s of the different provinces Synchronising the systems so that same quality of service irrespective

of complain is lodged 

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ACTIVITIES TO DATE2 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING – MOU’sVisited strategic alliance partners to formulate strategies

on how to work together and thus better discharge our mandateSABS;NCRS;ICASA etc

To date have concluded MOU WITH THE SABSVery important;We will be using them through their labs to test products;This allows us to commence with the work at hand from day

one;Thank SABS CEO and team for making this happen

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ACTIVITIES TO DATE3 PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS3.1 Imbizos

Imbizos for five of the nine provincesThree pre 01 April and balance post 01 AprilTarget traditional leaders and rural communities

Large amount of abuse in rural communities Identified as one of the class of vulnerable consumers in

terms of the CPA NGO groups in the province also targeted

Prominent and important role in Consumer Protection arena Report on status of NGO’s CONFIGURATIONS OF NGO’s Accreditation of NGO’S as Consumer Protection Groups 

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ACTIVITIES TO DATEPUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS- II3.3 Workshops

IndustryProfessional associationsChambers of commerceMEDIANGO’S

 

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ACTIVTIES TO DATEPUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS-III3.3 MUNICIPALITIES

Major Municipalities;Speak about compliance;Ensure properly educated and prepared;Government must lead by example.

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PUBLICATION OF KEY DOCUMENTS

Guidelines on complaints handling and investigation;

Guidelines on Accreditation of ombud schemes;

Guidelines on Accreditation of ADR agents;Terms of reference with respect to

establishment of the OPT – OUT Register.STRATEGIC PLAN FOR 2011- 2014 

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WAYFORWARD – 2011/124 NCC APPOACH

4.1 PROACTIVE

4.2 REACTIVE

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WAYFORWARD – 2011/12THEME FOR THE NCCTHEME TO GUIDE ACTIVITIES ESPECIALLY

PUBLIC AWARENESSTHEME FOR 2011- 2012

NCC AND UPLIFTMENT OF THE RURAL CONSUMER

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WAYFORWARD – 2011/124.1 PROACTIVE4.1.1 Identify three sectors

Mandate for NCC in terms of the CPA is broadNeed to address on bit at a time

4.1.2 Felt that need to annually identify three sectors to investigateAssess compliance with the CPAAssess practises in the industry in questionPublish report on identified transgressionsInvite consumers who have been victims of the said

practises to lodge complaints with the NCCEnsure corrective measures to prevent future transgressions

– finalise compliance orders or consent orders

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WAYFORWARD – 2011/124.1.3 The three industries identified for

investigation by the NCC for the 2011/12 financial year are :

ICT SECTOR;

MANUFACTURING AND RETAIL SECTOR;

MOTOR SECTOR;

MEDICAL AND PHARMACEUTICALS SECTOR.

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WAYFORWARD – 2011/124.1.2 Standing committees4.1.2.1 Purpose

Continuous feed into the work of the NCC Keep abreast with the needs of consumers and challenges of industry

 4.1.2.2 Composition

Consumer groups/NGO NCC Industry Regulators where interested

 4.1.2.3 Initial standing committees

Vulnerable consumers Industry Provincial consumer protection authorities

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WAYFORWARD – 2011/124.1.3 Imbizo’s

QWAQWA IMBIZO is the first of many to be held in the different provinces;

Target traditional leaders;Their rural communities;And Local Government Councillors.SPEAK TO RURAL COMMUNTIES BOUT

The CPA;General transgressions;Sale of expired goods;Over priced goods;Unscrupulous trader;Bad quality service etc

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WAYFORWARD – 2011/124.2 REACTIVE

4.2.1PUBLISHED GUDELINES ON COMPLAINTS HANDLING AND

INVESTIGATIONS; 4.2.2 COMMIT TO TURN AROUND

TIMES ADR – SIX WEEKS INVESTIGATIONS – SIX MONTHS

 

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NCC

PAMBILI NAMA CONSUMERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PILI LE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT!!!!!!!!

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NCCTHANK YOU

KE YA LEBOHA

NGI YA BONGA

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