Celebrate World Consumer Rights Day 2024 with City Ombudsman
14 March 2024
The Office of the City Ombudsman will be hosting its annual exhibition in celebration of World Consumer Rights Day tomorrow, 15 March 2024. Residents are invited to join the celebration.
'The Office of the City Ombudsman will be hosting its annual exhibition in celebration of World Consumer Rights Day tomorrow, 15 March 2024. The event commemorates an annual occasion for celebration and solidarity within the international consumer movement that is celebrated annually on 15 March. The theme for World Consumer Rights Day 2024 is "Fair and responsible AI for consumers".
'Let us come together and have our respective industries offer the support to those who are in need of our services, by raising awareness and promoting consumer rights in our interaction with members of the public, City staff, Councillors, greater business and interest groups visiting our tables. Together, we can help and continue to play the role of advisor, by ensuring that our consumers are made aware of this celebration.
'Visitors to the exhibition will have the opportunity to engage with several organisations and City officials about a number of topics and issues. They will also have an opportunity to learn more about our services,' said City Ombudsman Vusumzi Magwebu.
Date: Friday, 15 March 2024
Venue: Cape Town Civic Centre, Concourse Level, Second Floor
Time: 10:00 - 13:00
Email: ombudsadvocacy@capetown.gov.za
Exhibiting organisations:
- Western Cape Police Ombudsman (WCPO)
- Office of the Public Protector (PPSA), Western Cape Branch
- Community Schemes Ombud Services (CSOS), Western Cape Office Consumer Protector's Office (OCP), Western Cape Government Independent Communications Authority of South Africa
- Council for Medical Schemes (CMS)
- Credit Information Ombudsman (CO)
- Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), Western Cape Office
- Long-term Insurance Ombudsman (LTI)
- Ombudsman for Banking (OBS), Western Cape Branches
- Ombudsman for Finance Service Providers (FAIS Ombud)
- Short-term Insurance Ombudsman (Western Cape Branches)
City of Cape Town departments:
- Office of the City Ombudsman
- Energy Directorate
- Recreation and Parks Directorate
- Revenue: Debtors and Cash Department
- Water and Sanitation Directorate
Residents are encouraged to please bring along their ID and proof of correspondence or C3 notification if they need assistance.
Any queries may be directed to the office on 021 400 1944, 021 400 5487 or ombudsadvocacy@capetown.gov.za
The Office of the Ombudsman is also available to assist City staff and members of the public with all last resort municipal-related complaints (complaints that have gone through the City service channels prior to approaching the Ombud) via the telephone, SMS and online option as below:
Nature of complaints
- If a member of the public has lodged an enquiry or complaint about service delivery with a City department and an insufficient or no response has been received, the City Ombud may be contacted to investigate the matter.
- It is required that one must first approach the relevant City department and provide proof of the exchange before approaching the Ombudsman.
Please always describe the complaint in detail, including the name/s of the official/s involved, what happened and any relevant dates and times. Please always include any relevant documentation or evidence. The Ombudsman's Office will assess the complaint to determine whether the office can assist or whether to direct the complainant to the appropriate department or institution.
The office follows the Ombudsman By-law (2015). It functions with independence, credibility and impartiality. It is against the law and South African Constitution to interfere in the business, powers and functions of this office.
There are many City complaint channels available to members of the public, depending on the nature of the complaint.
The Ombudsman does not investigate the following complaints, as there are other complaint channels for these:
- Any legislative or executive decisions by the Council, any of its portfolio committees or subcouncils;
- Any matter involving an allegation of fraud, corruption or corporate crime as referred to in the City's Fraud Prevention Policy;
- Any matter or dispute which must be dealt with or settled within the field of labour law;
- Any allegation relating to financial irregularities;
- Any cases where the complainant has not reported the matter to the line department as a first port of call;
- Any alleged irregular conduct of a councillor;
- Any complaint which is vexatious or frivolous;
- Any tender-related matter; and
- Administrative appeals.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
