Service providers and credit lenders are obligated and need to ensure that consumers are treated fairly. This was said by the Minister of Trade and Industry (the dti) Dr Rob Davies. Minister Davies was interacting with consumers during a Consumer Rights Public Participation programme at Boulders Shopping Center, Midrand.

Minister Davies encouraged consumers to know their rights and responsibilities, and also familiarise themselves with the services of the National Consumer Commission (NCC) and the National Credit Regulator (NCR). He added that government is creating policies and structures like the NCC and NCR to protect the rights of consumers, but consumers needed to take advantage of these structures.

According to Minister Davies the Consumer Rights Public Participation programme was part of the education campaign to make sure every consumer knows their rights. “We are here in the shopping center today to educate you about these rights and to help you as consumers,” said Minister Davies.

“Mashonisas cannot just charge consumers as they like, they need to make sure that consumers can afford. Consumers also need to know their rights for them to be able to determine if they are treated fairly by service providers,” said Minister Davies.

Minister Davies said many people are falling victim to unscrupulous lenders and are making decisions that are affecting their credit profiles badly. He said they need to be made aware of their consumer rights and responsibilities; and be educated on how to be smarter with their money.

The National Consumer Commission Commissioner Mr Ebrahim Mohamed told consumers that consumer rights issues are not only about the service providers and credit lenders, they are about consumers too. He added that it was important for consumers to know that it is not only about their rights, but their obligations too as consumers.

Issued by Department of Trade and Industry