Justice isn’t always accessible for South Africans, and the reality is that it isn’t always viable for disputes to be settled in a court of law. Especially when one considers how long it takes to get an outcome and how prohibitively expensive the legal process can be. But there are various alternative avenues and options, like the Small Claims Court and Ombudsman Schemes, to assist citizens to resolve disputes.
We’ve already taken a comprehensive look at how to approach the Small Claims Court for assistance, so let’s delve a little deeper into the Ombudsman Schemes in South Africa.
An Ombudsman is an appointed official or body with authority to investigate an individual’s complaint against a company or organisation. Essentially, their role is to facilitate conflict resolution between parties by offering advice and mediation. They provide a remedy where outcomes between a company or organisation failed, and the person who filed the complaint wasn’t in the wrong. There are various independent Ombudsman Schemes for various disputes. What’s more, the service is free, which is excellent news for those who might not have the financial means to seek justice. It’s a shorter and more efficient process, and the finding by the Ombudsman is legally binding on the company, not the consumer.
You cannot turn to the relevant Ombudsman for assistance without attempting to resolve the issue with the company or organisation first.
It’s advisable to:
Of course, if your letter of complaint is ignored or not resolved to your satisfaction, you can seek legal advice, approach the relevant Ombudsman.
As mentioned, there are various Ombudsman Schemes in South Africa, but LAW FOR ALL frequently deals with cases that are best resolved in the below-mentioned forums.
Should an issue arise between you and your short-term insurance provider, and it unsuccessfully settled, you can approach OSTI. This Ombudsman provides policyholders and the short-term insurance industry with an alternative dispute resolution mechanism and deals with disputes involving car insurance, household insurance, cell phone insurance, travel insurance, disability insurance, etc.
Contact Details:
To learn more about OSTI, the disputes it commonly deals with and how to lodge a complaint, visit www.osti.co.za
If you have an issue with a long-term insurance provider and can’t resolve the problem, you can also approach this Ombudsman who will attempt to mediate the disputes related to your life insurance, retirement policies etc.
Contact Details:
To learn more about the Ombudsman for Long-Term Insurance, the disputes it commonly deals with and how to lodge a complaint, visit www.ombud.co.za
This Ombudsman receives complaints about banking services and products. If you have a complaint about your bank and have exhausted the bank’s procedures, you can approach Obbsa for assistance.
Contact Details:
To learn more about the Ombudsman for Banking Services, the disputes it commonly deals with and how to lodge a complaint, visit www.obbsa.co.za
The Office of the Credit Ombudsman resolves complaints from consumers that are negatively impacted by credit bureau information or when a consumer has a dispute with a credit provider.
Contact Details:
To learn more about the Credit Ombudsman, the disputes it commonly deals with and how to lodge a complaint, visit www.creditombud.org.za
This is an independent institution that focuses on the resolution of disputes where a deadlock has been reached between the motor industry and their customers.
Contact Details:
To learn more about the Motor Industry Ombudsman, the disputes it commonly deals with and how to lodge a complaint, visit www.miosa.co.za
This is the official regulator of the South African communications, broadcasting and postal services sectors. The Complaints and Compliance Committee (CCC) is an independent committee within ICASA that deals with consumer complaints.
Contact Details:
To learn more about ICASA, the disputes it commonly deals with and how to lodge a complaint, visit www.icasa.org.za
This organisation receives complaints regarding private sector pension funds, provident funds and retirement annuities. It investigates and determines accusations of abuse of power, maladministration, disputes of fact or law and employer dereliction of duty in respect of pension funds.
Contact Details:
To learn more about the Pension Funds Adjudicator, the disputes it commonly deals with and how to lodge a complaint, visit https://www.pfa.org.za
The Council for Medical Schemes receives complaints about medical schemes’ services and products. It provides regulatory supervision of private health financing through medical plans.
Contact Details:
To learn more about the Council for Medical Schemes, the disputes it commonly deals with and how to lodge a complaint, visit www.medicalschemes.com
The commission receives consumers’ complaints about shops, businesses or companies. Especially when it comes to compliance issues with the Consumer Protection Act and your rights as a consumer.
Contact Details:
To learn more about the National Consumer Commission, the disputes it commonly deals with and how to lodge a complaint, visit thencc.org.za
This authority works specifically with taxpayers who have been unable to resolve a service, procedural or administrative complaint through the usual complaints management channels of SARS.
Contact Details: