/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

As the world marks World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) on 15 March 2022, the Gauteng Office of Consumer Affairs (GOCA) is urging consumers to be vigilant and know their rights before buying products. Too often, consumers are frequently misled by claims of good quality, unfair trade practices, flashy packaging, deceptive advertising, and dubious items, and are unable to make rational decisions. 

In addition, the Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on local consumer markets. One of GOCA’s concerns was the rise in prices of goods and services to unjustified levels. Furthermore, consumers had engaged in panic buying of some items (e.g. face masks, tissue paper, soaps, sanitisers and groceries, etc.) creating an environment advantageous to abuse. 

“The World Consumer Rights Day is an opportunity for promoting the basic rights of all consumers, demanding that those rights are respected, protected, as well as the right to protest about the market abuses and social injustices which undermine them. The Gauteng Department of Economic Development, through GOCA, is mandated to protect and promote the consumer rights of Gauteng residents. This entails educating consumers and businesses about consumer rights and responsibilities,” said MEC Parks Tau.

During March, GOCA will implement several consumer education awareness programmes targeted at businesses and consumers in the Gauteng Province. There will be consumer education events such as exhibitions, workshops and webinars throughout March focusing on different consumer groups. The Covid-19 Compliance and Monitoring officers will conduct inspections at various shopping sites to monitor the level of compliance among suppliers. 

The 2022 theme for World Consumer Rights Day is “The Sustainable Consumer.” This theme is in line with the sustainable development goals and the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (DTIC) joint indicator on greening the economy.

HERE ARE KEY MESSAGES: 

CHOOSE BETTER, CHOOSE WISELY

Consumers have a right to choose where they spend their hard-earned cash. Spend your money wisely on goods and services that leave a smaller carbon footprint. Choose to do business with suppliers that support sustainability efforts. Buy quality/durable products that are built to last a long time and buy items that you need. If you need to replace something you already own, try to have it repaired first. This will save you lots of money.

BUY ECO-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS/MATERIALS AND REUSE

Save the environment and opt for reusable and eco-friendly products and materials such as eco-friendly clothing, recycled products, chemical-free items/products, chemical-free household cleaners, etc. Reduce waste and protect the environment, choose reusable products over single-use. Reuse products/materials as many times as possible before binning/ditching them. Cut down on waste and invest in some reusable shopping bags and bring your bag to the store.

RECYCLE PROPERLY

Recycle it If you cannot reuse it. Make sure you put garbage/rubbish in the correct bins. Check with your municipality for drop-off sites and try to get your items to the proper disposal sites, for example, electronic appliances, batteries, etc.

CONSUME BETTER, SAVE ENERGY

Conserve the energy and water at your home. Use less electricity, purchase energy-efficient products and equipment; use energy-efficient light bulbs (LED lights); turn your refrigerator down; turn unused appliances and equipment off; turn off the lights when not needed and unplug unused electric appliances. The use of energy-efficient appliances in your home would help save energy that can also help reduce gas emissions and help protect the environment. Use less water by fixing leaky taps; turning off the tap while you brush your teeth, collecting and using rainwater for watering plants.

BUY LOCAL

Shop within the borders, support local products, buy from local artists and retailers before you click for that two-day shipping. Visit Proudly South Africa’s dedicated online shopping platform on www.rsamade.co.za. It is important to think about the path your goods take to get to you. All that packaging combined with the fuel needed for delivery takes a toll on the environment. Check out your local farmers’market for freshly packaged food, buy organic fruits and veggies. By buying local, we retain and may even re-create some of the jobs that have been shed over the last few months and put South Africa and South Africans back to work. 

For more information, advice and consumer-related complaints, please contact the Gauteng Office of Consumer Affairs on (011) 355 8006 or email consumer@gauteng.gov.za.

For more details and media inquiries, please contact Ms. Milly Viljoen, the Director for Consumer Education, Awareness and Stakeholder Relations,  on 082 925 8886, email address Milly.Viljoen@guateng.gov.za

Issued by the Gauteng Department of Economic Development