This week the newly appointed National Commissioner of the National Consumer Commission Ebrahim Mohamed has assured the parliamentary portfolio committee that he and his Commission will be monitoring the www.daylightrobbery.org website launched by the IFP to collect and expose complaints of the public in respect of banks, insurance companies and cell phone companies.

The IFP has long been concerned that since their inception in our country these three segments of our service industry have had a free reign in taking advantage and abusing consumers, in spite of their services being necessary for all South African individuals and businesses. Government has been far too lenient when dealing with these three industries and remiss in providing much needed relief to consumers. We hope that the commitment made by the National Commissioner will be productive of results.

We invite all aggrieved citizens to make use of the www.daylightrobbery.org website to voice their grievances and express their frustrations in dealing with these companies. With greater participation from the public, we can ensure that these companies not only improve their services, but also run businesses for the benefit of the users.

South Africa has some of the highest costs in the world in respect of banking, insurance and cellular communication in spite of our marketplace being established, mature and relatively profitable. This is such only because government has tolerated anti-competitive practice and a general attitude which sees us all, the consumers, as cows to be milked rather than customers to be served.