Gauteng Consumers Get Some Recourse as Court Re-opens
12 March 2015
In its efforts to accelerate consumer justice to the residents of the province, the Gauteng
Office of Consumer Affairs (GOCA), under the auspice of the Gauteng Department of
Economic Development, will re-launch the Gauteng Consumer Affairs Court (GCAC) on
Friday 13 March 2015.
The GCAC is a tribunal established in terms of the Gauteng Provincial Consumer Affairs
(Unfair Business Practices) Act 7 of 1996 with a primary mandate of receiving, hearing and
adjudicating over disputes arising between consumers and businesses in the Gauteng
province in matters concerning the sale of goods or rendering of services by such
businesses to consumers.
This re-launch comes after a few years of the court’s inactivity due to delays in appointing
members and the low levels of referrals to the court on account of high resolution levels in
the office. The GCAC will give consumers an opportunity to have their complaints heard. In
addition, the hearings will also provide a platform for GOCA to educate consumers and
stakeholders about their basic consumer rights and responsibilities.
Most complaints received over the years have been about second hand vehicles and
delivery of defective furniture. "Consumer complaints about unscrupulous businesses that
provide poor quality products and services have increased over the years, particularly
complaints against second hand motor vehicle dealerships", said Reeva Welman, Gauteng
Consumer Protector.
Journalists and invited guests will have an opportunity to experience a brief live sitting of the
court as well as engage a panel (consisting of Adv. Fati Manamela, Chief Director:
Consumer Affairs, Prof. Riette du Plessis, Chairperson of the GCAC and Reeva Welman,
Gauteng Consumer Protector) on issues pertaining to the services and functions of the court
as well as consumer rights issues and how the court will assist small businesses.
Details of the event are as follows:
Date: Friday 13 March 2015
Time: 10:30 am for 11:00
Venue: Gauteng Consumer Affairs Court (Ground Floor)
94 Main Street, Matlotlo House
Johannesburg (cnr Main and Harrison)
For more details and media enquiries please contact Ms. Phindile Kunene on
011 355 8443 or 082 494 2409, email address [email protected]
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Accelerated Consumer Justice to the residents of the city region
Economic