Ground-breaking Act rulings return millions to consumers

The country's high courts, the National Consumer Tribunal (NCT) and the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) all fought for the rights of consumers in terms of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) last year, getting millions back for consumers.

- Ina Opperman

The cherry on top was the recent groundbreaking judgment by the SCA against WesBank, when the court ruled that a bank is not only a creditor, but also a supplier that is subject to the provisions of the CPA if it finances your car.

Until now, consumers who bought a used car that had defects in the first six months could return it to the dealer and receive a refund. If the car was financed by a bank, the consumer had to repay the bank after getting the refund from the dealer.

Consumer attorney Trudie Broekmann, who represented the consumer in this case, said this "groundbreaking judgment is a victory for consumers and a wake-up call for banks".

She said it is a game-changer for consumers, banks and dealerships and will compel banks to repay consumers who bought a defective vehicle it financed.