The Consumer Affairs Office in Thohoyandou is baffled by the escalation of illegal micro-lenders that lure pensioners at pensioner pay points.

Mr Nkhumeleni Moses Matshotshi, officer at Consumer Affairs in Thohoyandou, said pensioners, civil servants and the youth are borrowing money from illegal micro-lenders and this is bringing hardship to their families. He said his office educates consumers about their rights and responsibilities through the publication of educational materials, radio talk shows, workshop and seminars. “We have tried to move around and advise pensioners at different pay points to avoid borrowing money from micro lenders, but they reject our advice,” said Matshotshi.

“Consumers have the right to good health, but they are still jeopardizing their health by buying food past its sell-by date. It is better to go shopping where there is hygiene, guarantee and where there is invoice of what you have bought,” he said.

Mr Ranwedzi Tshisevha, an official in the Consumer Affairs office, said people must buy from dealers that are selling quality, not quantity. “If one is unable to finish up the payment of goods on lay-bye agreement, he or she has the rights to be refunded, but the dealers must take 10% and the remaining 90% goes to the customer. Shops are not allowed to tell the consumers that there is no refund, no exchange and no guarantee,” he said.

Mayor Lucas Manyuha of the Mutale Municipality said the Consumer Affairs Office was established by the Department of Finance and Economic Development to promote, protect and advance the interests of consumers in the Limpopo Province. “This department has also established consumer affairs office in all the districts of the province and they must not get weary of advising the people in the remote areas about their money,” he said. “This department has brought services closer to the people, and it is up to consumers to use the services of these offices in order to make their voices heard and to get redress when their rights are infringed. There are a lot of pensioners who are involved with micro-lenders and their families are crying. It is better to read and understand the contents of any contract before you sign. Consumers must not accept an incomplete delivery unless it is stated in writing that remaining goods will be delivered,’ he said.