The Kwazulu Natal Consumer Tribunal was created in terms of in terms of Section 8 of the Kwazulu-Natal Consumer Protection Act, 04 of 2013.
Who may lodge consumer complaints?
- An individual
- An authorised person acting on behalf of another
- A person acting as a member or in the interests of an affected group or class
- A person acting in the public interest (amicus curiae/leave of tribunal or court association, acting on the interests of its members)
A consumer includes any business with a total annual turnover that is less than R2 million is also protected.
The objectives of a Consumer Tribunal are –
- to receive, hear and decide on any consumer matter; and
- to dispose of any consumer complaint or dispute.
The office of the Consumer Protector was established to receive and investigate all consumer complaints. Upon receiving any consumer complaint the office will investigate the complaint, mediate between the parties and if no resolution can be reached the office will refer the complaint to the consumer tribunal.
The Consumer Protector is empower to issue subpoenas, search and seize, conduct routine business inspections and to investigate any consumer complaint.