National Consumer Tribunal Annual Report 2011/12 National Consumer Tribunal 2011-12 | Page 11

The past year has been one of unprecedented growth for the National
Consumer Tribunal, and successful management of this growth. The
exponential increase in the number and types of cases dealt with by the
Tribunal has been a source of great pride and pleasure, as we have
reached out to our diverse stakeholders to meet their varying needs
in the fi eld of credit adjudication. At the same time, in order to operate
within the limitations of our available resources, we have streamlined
our processes and stretched the capacity of Tribunal members in the
face of the escalation of cases. We have done so in order that we can
continue to provide the quality of service for which we strive at all times
and for which we are steadily building an excellent reputation. In this
respect, we remain fi rmly committed to our vision “to be recognised as an
independent and fair adjudicator in promoting and advancing social and
economic welfare of South Africans”.
In all our activities – whether they be considering the merits of a particular
case, training and conducting research to build capacity, ensuring that
the public is treated with respect and dignity, or simply being effi cient
in tracking the progress of cases – the Tribunal has remained rooted in
its four core values. Steadfast adherence to these positive reputational
values nourishes our growth as an organisation, enabling us to produce
the fruit on which our nation will prosper and thrive.
Throughout the year, we have continued our efforts to engage with as
wide a range as possible of our diverse stakeholders. Our quarterly
workshops for Tribunal members provide an opportunity not only for
capacity building amongst our members; they are also an occasion to
strengthen our relationships with the Consumer Protection Offi ces in
various provinces, and to ensure consistent adjudication in terms of
the NCA. During the year under review, we also initiated a Consumer
Adjudicating Roundtable, the purpose of which was to optimise our
resources and establish consistent adjudication across South Africa. The
Tribunal aims to continue the process in the new fi nancial year.
Another critical engagement with stakeholders during the year involved
the fi nalisation of the Tribunal’s Service Charter. This important document
sets out our commitment to our stakeholders to be quick and responsive,
accessible and fair, and provides measurable benchmarks by which we
will achieve this. An example of this is the Service Charter’s commitment
to parties to communicate the progress in their cases at each procedural
step with them. The Tribunal actively measures adherence to this Service
Charter.
As an organisation, the Tribunal has to be exemplary in meeting its
responsibilities in terms of legislation and corporate governance. As
a result, the Tribunal places great emphasis on being compliant with
relevant legislation, and good corporate governance prescripts. This
is achieved through monitoring of changes in legislation, reviews of
compliance requirements, careful adherence to its policies, and the
monitoring of risk.
BRUNIACEAE Brunia
laevis
The fl owers of the plants of
the Brunia family are mostly
shaped as compact balls.
Many plants of the Brunia
family are harvested before
the fl owers open to supply
the cut-fl ower trade with
neat rounded-ball stems.
Annual Report 2011
national consumer tribunal | page 9