Consumer Protection Act

Have you ever saved up every dime to buy that brand new gadget, just for it to stop working after a few months of use? “Not a problem, we’ll assess the defect and repair it for you”, many suppliers may say and while this may feel like great customer service, did you know that you are being tricked out of your right to choose a remedy. The Consumer Protection Act (CPA) provides consumers with, among other noteworthy protections, the right to choose whether you would like a defective good repaired, replaced or refunded within 6 months of purchase. Yes, you…

Why is the Consumer Protection Act important? The Consumer Protection Act, Act No. 68 of 2008 ("the CPA") is a landmark Act in South African statutory law as it is directed at the protection of consumer interests. As stated in the CPA itself, the purpose of the CPA is “to promote and advance the social and economic welfare of consumers”. Courts and tribunals are obliged to be mindful of this purpose when adjudicating matters brought in terms of the CPA. Who is protected by the Consumer Protection Act? A “consumer” under the CPA includes natural persons and small business enterprises…

Consumer protection, which includes being given access to a safe and dependable supply of food, is a fundamental requirement of any society. In transforming the South African food landscape, there have been gradual improvements to protect consumers, most notable with the advent of the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008. However, we still see unfit food products, especially in respect of mislabelled food products, reaching the store shelves. Although there exists a plethora of legislation, and a multiplicity of agencies focused on food safety, the South African government has been unable to respond effectively to the continuous changes in the…