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Office of Consumer Protection
Introduction
The Office of the Consumer Protection (OCP) functions as part of the
consumer and Corporate Regulation Division of the Department of Trade and
Industry (the dti).
The OCP administers the Consumer Affairs (Unfair Business Practises)
Act 71 of 1988. An unfair business practise is defined in the Act as
any businesses practise which directly or indirectly has, or is likely
to have, the effect of harming relations between business and consumers,
unreasonably prejudicing any consumer, deceiving any consumer or unfairly
affecting any consumer. The office also enforces other legislation
administered by the dti that contains consumer protection provisions.
What is the role of the Office of Consumer Protection?
The Office of Consumer Protection is committed to protecting consumers
against unfair business practices through complaints resolution, investigations,
prosecutions, education and voluntary compliance programmes.
It does this by:
- Promoting the spirit of fair trade between consumers and service providers;
- Educating consumers about their rights and duties;
- Providing quick and fast resolution of complaints through negotiated settlements;
- Investigating and resolving matters relating to unfair business practices;
- Prosecuting Offenders
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