Let’s talk about the other side of the Township Economy which involves the consumer. As Soweto’s malls continue to grow, so does its residents’ shopping experience. While the convenience of local malls and Supermarkets is undeniable, a recurring issue has sparked debate among shoppers: the demand to produce a receipt when leaving certain stores. Is this practice legal? And more importantly, is it fair?
Asikhulume Soweto!
Are Customers Obligated to Show Their Receipts?
Legally, no outright law in South Africa mandates shoppers to show their receipts when leaving a store. The Consumer Protection Act does not prohibit stores from asking, and many retailers cite security concerns as their reasoning. However, the decision to enforce this practice rests entirely with each store, often following a risk assessment.
Okay wait! Here’s where it gets interesting: while some stores in Soweto malls demand receipts at the door, others, even within the same mall, do not. And if you visit malls in more affluent suburbs, this practice is far less common. Why such a discrepancy?
The Issue of Inconsistency
Do you still remember that Durban story in 2016, when Durban metro police chief Eugene Nzama would not allow a guard to sign off a purchase receipt after buying two storage boxes from a shop in Springfield Park. Nzama then ordered the guard to be arrested. The incident was caught on camera.
Read the story here
The reality is that many stores implement this policy to curb theft and discourage collusion between cashiers and shoppers. However, this raises a significant concern for township shoppers: Why are they being subjected to this level of scrutiny more often than those shopping in wealthier areas?
If you’re shopping in an affluent suburb, chances are, you’ll leave the store without anyone glancing at your receipt. Yet in Soweto, this practice has almost become a norm, with many stores requiring proof of purchase before you walk out the door. The inconsistency leaves many wondering: What’s the difference between a shopper in Sandton and a shopper in Soweto?
Shopper Rights and Respect
At its core, this issue isn’t just about legality. It’s about respect. Are Soweto shoppers being treated as potential criminals simply for spending their hard-earned money? Should the burden of preventing theft fall on the customer, or should store management be responsible for ensuring their premises are secure?
Many shoppers feel that being asked to show a receipt is demeaning, especially when they know that shoppers in other parts of the city aren’t subjected to the same treatment. This practice seems to create a divide—one that leaves township shoppers feeling less valued and more scrutinized.
For obvious reasons, we do not want to mention Store names in this article, however it is a known fact that when shop at Diepkloof Square for example, Shop A would require that you produce a Receipt when you exit, while Shop B will let you do your shopping in peace and no one will harass you on your way out. No wonder more residents prefer to shop at Shop B.
What Do You Think?
Visit our Facebook page and leave a comment, we want to hear from you. How do you feel about this policy at certain stores? Do you see it as a necessary security measure, or does it feel like an unnecessary invasion of your dignity?
And more importantly, what can be done to ensure that Soweto shoppers receive the same respect and treatment as those in more affluent areas? After all, we spend our money just the same—shouldn’t we be treated the same?
How other Countries deal with this issue?
In this article here, a shopper in the US, disagrees with a store’s new receipt check policy as she feels they are automatically accusing theft.
“I feel if an employee asks to see my receipt, they are tacitly accusing me of shoplifting,” a shopper named Nancy told NBC affiliate KGW News in Portland.