The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has urged consumers to report shops and spaza shops that impose additional charges when customers pay for goods and services using bank cards.
According to Phetho Ndaba, the National Consumer Commission’s Media Liaison Officer, consumers should not be forced to pay extra simply because they have chosen to use a card to make a payment, as such practices are against consumer protection laws.
Ndaba encouraged consumers who encounter the practice to report the businesses to the commission so that their complaints can be investigated.
The warning comes as more consumers in rural communities increasingly rely on spaza shops and other local outlets offering banking and payment services closer to their homes.
While the availability of these services has made life easier for communities that previously had to travel long distances to access banking facilities, some consumers say they are being hit with NCC warns shops against unlawful card payment surcharges
By Nakampe Lekwadu
The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has urged consumers to report shops and spaza shops that impose additional charges when customers pay for goods and services using bank cards.
According to Pheta Ndaba, the National Consumer Commission’s Media Liaison Officer, consumers should not be forced to pay extra simply because they have chosen to use a card to make a payment, as such practices are against consumer protection laws.
Ndaba encouraged consumers who encounter the practice to report the businesses to the commission so that their complaints can be investigated.
The warning comes as more consumers in rural communities increasingly rely on spaza shops and other local outlets offering banking and payment services closer to their homes.
While the availability of these services has made life easier for communities that previously had to travel long distances to access banking facilities, some consumers say they are being hit with additional charges every time they use their cards.
Several consumers told Lepelle Review that the charges can quickly add up, particularly when purchasing electricity or airtime.
One consumer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they recently bought R100 worth of electricity but had to pay an additional R10.
«“The charges are very steep. If you buy R100 electricity, you can end up paying R110. They charge an extra R1 for every R10 that you swipe. If you are buying airtime or electricity regularly, that money adds up,” the consumer said.»
Another consumer said although they were unhappy about the additional charges, they often had little choice because of the shortage of banking facilities in their villages.
«“We don’t agree with these charges, but what can we do? In our village there are no banks nearby. These spaza shops have brought the machines closer to us, so we use them because travelling to town costs even more money,” the consumer said.»
Another consumer said the convenience provided by the services should not come at the expense of consumers.
«“We appreciate that the machines are available here because they save us from travelling long distances. But there should be a proper system. We should not be charged extra just because we are using our bank cards,” said the consumer.»
The NCC has encouraged consumers who encounter such practices to report them to the commission so that complaints can be investigated.
Consumers have also called for greater awareness in rural communities about their rights, saying many people may not know that they can challenge additional charges imposed when paying by card.
For residents in remote areas, the issue has become a balancing act between convenience and cost.
While local spaza shops and other outlets offering banking services have helped bring financial services closer to communities, consumers say the practice of adding charges to card transactions must be addressed to ensure that access to these services does not become an additional financial burden.
Photo: Ndaba charges every time they use their cards.
Several consumers told Africa Daily that the charges can quickly add up, particularly when purchasing electricity or airtime.
One consumer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they recently bought R100 worth of electricity but had to pay an additional R10.
«“The charges are very steep. If you buy R100 electricity, you can end up paying R110. They charge an extra R1 for every R10 that you swipe. If you are buying airtime or electricity regularly, that money adds up,” the consumer said.»
Another consumer said although they were unhappy about the additional charges, they often had little choice because of the shortage of banking facilities in their villages.
«“We don’t agree with these charges, but what can we do? In our village there are no banks nearby. These spaza shops have brought the machines closer to us, so we use them because travelling to town costs even more money,” the consumer said.»
Another consumer said the convenience provided by the services should not come at the expense of consumers.
«“We appreciate that the machines are available here because they save us from travelling long distances. But there should be a proper system. We should not be charged extra just because we are using our bank cards,” said the consumer.»
The NCC has encouraged consumers who encounter such practices to report them to the commission so that complaints can be investigated.
Consumers have also called for greater awareness in rural communities about their rights, saying many people may not know that they can challenge additional charges imposed when paying by card.
For residents in remote areas, the issue has become a balancing act between convenience and cost.
While local spaza shops and other outlets offering banking services have helped bring financial services closer to communities, consumers say the practice of adding charges to card transactions must be addressed to ensure that access to these services does not become an additional financial burden.
