National C onsumer Commission

1. National Consumer Commission THE NATIONAL CONSUMER COMMISSION NOWAND INTO THE FUTURE

2. NCC • MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY DR ROB DAVIES; • DEPUTY MINISTER Me THABETHE • DIRECTOR GENERAL DTI NTATE OCTOBER • DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL Me NTULI • ALL CEO’s , CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY • DIGNITARIES AND ALL PRESENT AND ALL PROTOCOL OBSERVED • DUMELANG BAGAYESO

3. 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

4. NCC • This 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.

5. NCC • The 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.

6. 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.

7. ACTIVITIES TO DATE 1 PROVINCIAL VISITS • Worked tirelessly • Provincial visits • Visited all nine provinces • Some of the provinces we had the pleasure of meeting members of their consumer tribunals or Courts • We 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 

8. ACTIVITIES TO DATE 2 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING – MOU’s • Visited strategic alliance partners to formulate strategies on how to work together and thus better discharge our mandate • SABS; • NCRS; • ICASA etc • To date have concluded MOU WITH THE SABS • Very 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

9. ACTIVITIES TO DATE 3 PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS 3.1 Imbizos • Imbizos for five of the nine provinces • Three pre 01 April and balance post 01 April • Target 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 

10. ACTIVITIES TO DATE PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS- II 3.3 Workshops • Industry • Professional associations • Chambers of commerce • MEDIA • NGO’S

11. ACTIVTIES TO DATE PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS-III 3.3 MUNICIPALITIES • Major Municipalities; • Speak about compliance; • Ensure properly educated and prepared; • Government must lead by example.

12. 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

13. WAYFORWARD – 2011/12 • 4 NCC APPOACH 4.1 PROACTIVE 4.2 REACTIVE

14. WAYFORWARD – 2011/12 • THEME FOR THE NCC • THEME TO GUIDE ACTIVITIES ESPECIALLY PUBLIC AWARENESS • THEME FOR 2011- 2012 • NCC AND UPLIFTMENT OF THE RURAL CONSUMER

15. WAYFORWARD – 2011/12 4.1 PROACTIVE 4.1.1 Identify three sectors • Mandate for NCC in terms of the CPA is broad • Need to address on bit at a time 4.1.2 Felt that need to annually identify three sectors to investigate • Assess compliance with the CPA • Assess practises in the industry in question • Publish report on identified transgressions • Invite consumers who have been victims of the said practises to lodge complaints with the NCC • Ensure corrective measures to prevent future transgressions – finalise compliance orders or consent orders

16. WAYFORWARD – 2011/12 4.1.3 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.

17. WAYFORWARD – 2011/12 4.1.2 Standing committees 4.1.2.1 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

18. WAYFORWARD – 2011/12 • 4.1.3Imbizo’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

19. WAYFORWARD – 2011/12 • 4.2 REACTIVE • 4.2.1 PUBLISHED GUDELINES ON COMPLAINTS HANDLING AND INVESTIGATIONS;  4.2.2 COMMIT TO TURN AROUND TIMES • ADR – SIX WEEKS • INVESTIGATIONS – SIX MONTHS

20. NCC • PAMBILI NAMA CONSUMERS!!!!!!!!!!!!! • PILI LE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT!!!!!!!!

21. NCC • THANK YOU • KE YA LEBOHA • NGI YA BONGA