War has been declared on the service providers who do not comply with consumer rights in their refunds or returns policies, which is a violation of the Consumer Protection Act.

The Gauteng Office of Consumer Affairs (Goca) has found that a number of service providers who run businesses in the province - many of whom are foreign nationals - do not comply with the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), especially the right to return and exchange defective goods.

The organisation has arranged a march to highlight the problems as well as to commemorate Consumer Rights Day today.

Milly Viljoen, a director for consumer education, awareness and stakeholder relations at Goca, said most of these shop owners do not give refunds even if the goods are not suitable for the purpose for which they were bought, which is a violation of the CPA.

Viljoen said their task was often complicated by the language barrier, as most of these service provides claim not to understand English when asked for answers.

She said they will be marching along Eloff Street in Johannesburg to raise awareness of and educate businesses about the rights of consumers.

During the march consumer investigators will also conduct inspections in shops along Eloff Street to check on their returns and refunds policies, she said.

"Through these inspections we want to make business people aware of the Consumer Protection Act and what is expected of them in terms of the act.

"We will give them some time within which we expect them to comply. If there is still non-compliance from them, then we will crack the whip."

The CPA prescribes a penalty of up to 12 months' imprisonment or a fine for any person convicted of contravening its provisions, she said.

Viljoen said the celebration of Consumer Rights Day began in the US after President John F Kennedy delivered a historic address to congress on March 15 1962, in which he outlined his vision for consumer rights.

"Consumers are the largest economic group, affecting and affected by almost every public and private economic decision. Yet they are the only important group. whose views are often not heard," she said, quoting Kennedy.

This year's theme for Consumer Rights Day is "Don't Silence me, I Have Rights!"

Viljoen said the marchers will include representatives of the public protector, National Credit Regulator, Financial Services Board, Council for Medical Schemes, Council for Debt Collectors, Commission for Gender Equality, Icasa Credit ombud, City of Joburg ombud and the Gauteng Liquor Board.

She said the march also seeks to encourage consumers to claim their rights and adopt more assertive consumer behaviour.

The office of Consumer Affairs relaunched its Consumer Court last year so that it could be more effective in fighting unfair business practice in Gauteng.

It has the power to issue an order prohibiting unfair business practice, to declare certain business practices unfair and to appoint a curator to perform duties necessary to give effect to any order of the court.