| The Ombudsman - How to direct your complaints in South Africa |
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This page serves as pure information when you would like to lodge a complaint with a company, this is your first step... it really does helpBusinessAdvertising The Advertising Standards Authority is available on 011 781 2006, fax 011 781 1616, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or at Box 41555, Craighall 2024. Consumer rights The Office of the Consumer Protector is on 0800 007 081 or 021 483 5735, fax 021 483 3483 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Monopolies or price-fixing The Competition Commission is on 012 394 3200, fax 012 394 0166, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.compcom.co.za Income tax, PAYE, UIF, VAT, Customs The South African Revenue Services monitoring office, 0860 12 12 16, fax 012 431 9695, or visit the website www.sars.gov.za Telecommunication You can complain about Telkom or a cellular company to the Independent Communications Authority of SA by phoning its complaints handling section on 011 566 3000, fax 011 448 1870. Banks InsuranceBanks Contact Neville Melville, ombudsman for banking services, on 011 838 0035/38/39, fax 011 838 0043, share-call 0860 800 900, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or visit the website www.obssa.co.za Insurance If you think you were given misleading information or wrong advice about an insurance product, contact Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Ombudsman Charles Pillai on 0860 324 766, fax 012 348 3447, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or see the website www.faisombud.co.za His jurisdiction covers only advice given after October 1, 2004. Complaints about misleading advice dating back to before October 2004 should be sent to either the long- or short-term insurance ombudsmen, or the ombudsman for banking services. Reach Judge Peet Nienaber, ombudsman for long-term insurance on 021 657 5000, fax 021 674 0951, send e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or write to Box 45007, Claremont 7735. From June, Judge Nienaber will be replaced by Judge Brian Gilgut. Brian Martin, short-term insurance ombudsman, is available on 011 726 8900, fax 011 726 5501, call-share 0860 72 68 90, send e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , visit www.osti.co.za or write to Box 32334, Braamfontein 2017. Microlenders The National Credit Regulator has replaced the Micro Finance Regulatory Council. Call 0860 627 627, fax 011 554 2871, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , write to Box 209, Halfway House 1685, or visit website www.ncr.org.za Interlinked One share-call number connects consumers with any one of the three ombudsmen in the financial industry. The ombudsmen for banking services, long-term insurance and credit information can now be reached on 0860 OMBUDS (0860 66 28 37). MedicalDentists The office of the dental ombudsman can be reached on 0860 11 33 34 between 8am and noon. Health care practitioners Lodge your complaint with the Registrar of the Health Professions Council of SA on 012 338 9300, fax 012 328 4895 or 012 338 9419, or write to Box 205, Pretoria 0001. Medical schemes The Council for Medical Schemes hears complaints on 012 431 0500/9/10/29 or fax 012 431 0560 or send e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it PersonalCity Council The ombudsman for the City of Cape Town is Mbulelo Baba on 021 400 5486, fax 021 400 5952, or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Credit bureau The Office of Credit Information Ombudsman Manie van Schalkwyk will investigate complaints about being incorrectly or unfairly blacklisted. Reach him on 0861 66 28 37, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , write to Postnet Suite #444, Private Bag X1, Jukskei Park 2153, or see website www.creditombud.org.za Debt collectors Complain to the Council for Debt Collectors if a registered practitioner’s conduct is doubtful. Call 012 804 9808, fax 012 804 0744 or see the website www.debtcol-council.co.za Funeral services For funeral insurance problems, contact the Financial Services Board on tollfree 0800 11 04 43, phone 012 428 8000 or fax 012 347 0221. Furniture retailers The Furniture Traders’ Association can be reached on 011 789 6770/1/2, fax 011 789 6645, toll-share 0861 99 88 77, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or write to Box 1084, Pinegowrie 2123. Income tax, PAYE, UIF, VAT, Customs The South African Revenue Services monitoring office, 0860 12 12 16, fax 012 431 9695, or visit the website www.sars.gov.za Pensions The Office of the Pension Funds Adjudicator is at Oakdale House, The Oval, Oakdale Road, Newlands, 021 674 0209, fax 021 674 0185, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or Box 23005, Claremont 7735. PropertyBuilders The Master Builders’ and Allied Trades’ Association has jurisdiction over its members only. Call 021 685 2625, fax 021 685 2622 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Electricians Contact the Western Cape Electrical Inspection Authority on 021 987 3010, fax 021 987 3083, or send e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or write to Box 163, Cape Gate 7562. Estate agents The Estate Agency Affairs Board can be reached 0n 011 731 5600, but complaints must be faxed to the board’s legal department, 011 880 9725. The website address is www.eaab.org.za Plumbers/pools The Institute of Plumbing operates from the office of the National Spa & Pool Institute in Bergvliet. The telephone number for both is 021 712 8390, fax 021 713 2197, or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Tenants/Landlords The Rental Housing Tribunal will handle complaints over the phone on 0860 106 166, or 021 483 4190, fax 021 483 4986 or fax 021 483 2060. Timeshare Contact the Timeshare Institute of South Africa on 021 914 9693, fax 021 914 5202, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or write to Box 2823, Durbanville 7551. Sectional title living The website www.sto.co.za is packed with useful information and advice for owners of sectional title properties, trustees and managing agents. OtherMotor dealers The Motor Industry Ombudsman is Johan van Vreden. Reach him on 012 361 8824, fax 012 348 9303, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or write to Suite 156, Lynwood Ridge 0040. Print peeves Contact the Press Ombudsman at 011 788 4837/4829, fax 011 788 4990 or write to Box 47221, Parklands 2120. Veterinarians Phone the SA Veterinary Council on 012 324 2392, fax 012 324 2394, e-mail |