Speech on the Second Reading Debate: Consumer Affairs

Cheryllyn Dudley MP (ACDP)

Tuesday, 11 September 2001

Madam Speaker,

This bill gives more teeth to the Minister and Consumer Affairs
Committee to deal with unfair business practices and therefore it is the
ACDP's opinion that it improves the current situation.

an expert can now be appointed to interrogate the accused or their
representation;
an interim court order can now be obtained which speeds up the process;
and
adequate protection of the public is now a possibility.

There is however, still an additional need, in that while justice is
available to all we could say as Lord Birkenhead did, that "justice,
like the Ritz Hotel is available to all".

For ordinary people to access swift and easy recourse, small matters
should be heard in special courts, conveniently placed throughout the
country just like traffic courts and small claims courts. Trial courts
could be set up in Cape Town and Durban for example, within DTI and
presided over by retired Magistrates who listen to both the consumer and
the accused. This would be a cheap and speedy mechanism for resolving
conflict.

The ACDP congratulates the FreeState on having taken the initiative with
this suggestion made by the Hon Kent Durr in the NCOP. We welcome the
fact that a Provincial court has been appointed in the FreeState and we
call on the Minister to work with Provinces to multiply these courts
throughout the country.

Consumer Affairs Committees should also be devolved to city or large
town centres and their existence and whereabouts advertised on all
products.

As consumer affairs is listed in the constitution as a concurrent
competence in schedule 4A of the constitution, consumer protection
appears to be a constitutional requirement and therefore greater effort
should be made to see that it is a reality for all the people.

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For more information please call Cheryllyn Dudley MP at 082 8906520 or
ACDP Media Liaison Liza Lambert at 082 4781037