Limpopo opens a consumer court
30 August 2004
Limpopo MEC for Finance and Economic Development Thaba Mufamadi on Friday launched a consumer court, marking an important step towards ensuring that people's constitutional rights, as enshrined in the Bill of Rights, are respected.
The court was launched in Polokwane during a ceremony attended by Justice GNK Hetisani, and members of the provincial cabinet.
"The establishment of the court marks yet another landmark for the actualisation of constitutional rights as enshrined in the Bill of Rights, which is the cornerstone of our democracy," Mufamadi said.
He said the main objectives of the consumer court, established in terms of Limpopo's Consumer Affairs Act of 1996, would be to promote, enforce and protect the rights and dignity of consumers in the course of transactions with business concerns.
"The court will speedily facilitate all complaints brought before it, and shall serve, technically, as the body of appeal in cases not
resolved through the regional levels of the Department of Finance and Economic Development," the MEC pointed out.
He said the court would comprise nine individuals, appointed after a consultation process aimed at involving all stakeholders, such as civil society, organised consumer organisations, government and business.
"There will be a board that will be chaired by either a retired judge or an attorney, appointed in terms of the Consumer Affairs Act", Mufamadi added.
He appealed to the public to use the court effectively, so that it can efficiently address the rights of consumers.
Business leaders who attended the launch said the adjudication body would be of particular value to unemployed and lower income complainants, who were often unable to afford legal representation in civil court actions.
Source: BuaNews
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