The National Consumer Commission (NCC) ​ notes with concern attempts of bribery by certain suppliers in the textile industry who do not want to comply with the Consumer Protection Act (CPA). The NCC is mandated by law to investigate any suspicious contravention of the Act. 

The textile industry in the country is vulnerable to imports from other countries. This has resulted in local manufacturers suffering enormously as South African businesses began importing cheaper textiles and clothing from foreign countries. As such most retail outlets operating in South Africa are selling imported merchandise with misleading labels, which state that goods or finished products are made in South Africa when in fact they are not. 

Section 24(5) of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) requires that every merchandise imported into the Republic must have a label permanently affixed clearly indicating the following:

·       A country of origin of the goods; and

·       Any other prescribed information (including country of origin of the fabric used, whether printed or finished in the Republic).

NCC’s Acting Commissioner Ms Thezi Mabuza says the Commission’s investigators are empowered by the CPA to investigate consignments that get and in particular every consignment that is detained by custom officials to verify whether it meets the requirements. “While Government encourages people to start their own businesses, the NCC will never tolerate acts of bribery by unscrupulous suppliers. Our investigators will continue to conduct these inspections in ensuring that suppliers do comply with the CPA. Where we find reasonable suspicion of suppliers flouting the CPA, we will decisively take appropriate actions against those suppliers” Mabuza said.

“The NCC wants to reiterate its commitment to implementing the CPA with the purpose of promoting and advancing the social and economic welfare of consumer in the country” she concluded.

 

Issued by The National Consumer Commission