ESCC commemorates World Consumer Rights Day

MBABANE – The Eswatini Competition Commission (ESCC) joined the international community in commemorating World Consumer Rights Day in Siteki on Friday.

The commemoration was in the form of a roadshow at the former bus rank opposite Shoprite. Hundreds of Siteki residents attended the event, which featured popular comedians Gogo and S’lwane. ESCC Manager Consumer Protection Linda Dlamini said two roadshows were held in Nhlangano and Buhleni last Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, before the main event in Siteki. He said the response at both roadshows was impressive, as consumers enquired on how and where they could report when treated unfairly by businesses. “We shared with the consumers our office contact numbers and physical address, where they can report their complaints,” he said. Dlamini also said consumers, who visited their stand during the roadshows, were impressed with the information on their rights.

Warranty

“What we observed was that many people did not know their rights. It is now that they begin to realise that, for instance, they can be reimbursed if their items become malfunctional while still under warranty,” he said.

Dlamini, who manned the ESCC gazebo with Consumer Protection Officers Nozipho Mamba and Simanga Kunene, mentioned that ESCC encouraged competition, ensuring consumer rights and personal data protection. He said competition provided consumers with a wide range of choices, as well as fair and low prices. He mentioned that it was imperative for consumers to know and understand their rights so that they were not taken advantage of by traders.

He also stated that personal data protection was vital in the advent of artificial intelligence. The consumer protection manager said when buying goods online, consumers were requested to provide details including their name, age, preferences and contact details. “Your details may then be included in data that is sold to advertisers, who want to market and sell their products,” said Dlamini. “You will then be contacted by the advertiser, asking if you were interested in a certain product, which would be similar to the one you bought when submitting your details.