Gauteng Appoints 10 Members to Consumer Affairs Court Under Act 7 of 1996
Brought to you by SAnews: In terms of the Consumer Affairs (Unfair Business Practices) Act, No. 7 of 1996, ten new members have been sworn into the Gauteng Consumer Affairs Court to serve a three-year term.
The Gauteng Consumer Affairs Court operates as an administrative tribunal established in 2000 under the provincial statute. The tribunal holds statutory authority to adjudicate consumer complaints, hear disputes arising from the sale and supply of goods and services, make remedial awards in matters involving unfair business practices, and confirm settlement agreements as enforceable court orders.
The newly sworn-in members include:
- Fhedzisani Pandelani;
- Professor Jacolien Barnard (appointed as alternate chairperson);
- Zandile Mpungose; and
- Advocate Matsobane Mello.
The tribunal provides free dispute adjudication across Gauteng, offering consumers an administrative alternative to formal civil litigation in the Magistrate’s or High Court for claims involving alleged unfair business practices and non-compliance with statutory consumer rights.
What this means for you, your business, or your clients
- For yourself: Exercise the right to lodge consumer grievances involving goods or services supplied in Gauteng directly with the provincial tribunal without incurring legal fees.
- For your business: Review standard terms of service, warranty processes, and complaints-handling procedures to ensure alignment with unfair practice prohibitions, as an active bench increases adjudicative capacity and enforcement scrutiny.
- For your clients: Advise retail and commercial clients that settlements reached before the Gauteng Consumer Affairs Court carry the full legal status of confirmed court orders, making non-compliance subject to formal execution.
Originally published at https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/new-court-members-strengthen-consumer-protection-gauteng