I have made a short list of the main issues I believe should be included in the Consumer Protection legislation for Namibia:
1. Consumers have the right to cancel a reservation or pre-booking for any goods or services and to cancel any order for any goods or services.
2. Consumers may cancel a fixed-term agreement (of any term) at any time.
3. Suppliers must provide a quote or estimate prior to working on any goods.
4. The rendering of services or the goods required to perform any service must be in a manner and of a quality that persons are generally entitled to expect and be free of any defect.
5. The CPA must impose strict liability on producers, importers, distributors or retailers to supply safe goods and imposes strict liability in respect of product failure, defective and hazardous goods.
6. A mandatory three-month warranty period must be imposed on service providers who install any new or reconditioned part during repair or maintenance work.
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A consumer is entitled to return unsafe or defective goods, including goods that are not of a good quality.
A consumer who is the recipient of unsolicited goods or services is not obliged to pay for such goods or services
Consumer must have the right to cancel a transaction or agreement emanating from Direct Marketing.
Goods or services must not be promoted in a misleading, fraudulent or deceptive manner.
The CPA should also create a “Small Claims Court” for matter under N $ 50,000.00.
Lastly, and most importantly, the legislation should create and support national consumer organisations to promote and provide consumer literacy education.
