dti's warning over ticketing scams

"The dti wishes to advise consumers to ensure that they are protected during this period, especially against scams that are often prevalent during events of this nature.

"These scams may relate to the sale of tickets, offering of hospitality packages or providing affordable accommodation during Afcon 2013," said dti spokesperson Sidwell Medupe.

South Africa will host Afcon from 19 January to 10 February 2013. The role of the dti in this tournament is to enforce intellectual property rights and South Africa's liquor and consumer protection laws.

The dti raised concern that consumers are not able to determine who are the valid and accredited suppliers of tickets and may find they hold fake tickets that they paid for.

"In the interest of consumers, the dti has, after liaising with Afcon 2013 Local Organising Committee, resolved to issue information on valid points of sale for match tickets," added Medupe.

Valid tickets -- which range in price from R50 to R200 -- can only be acquired from approved service providers. EQ Tickets has been appointed as the exclusive provider of tickets to AFCON 2013 in conjunction with Spar stores.

Tickets should only be bought via the EQ Tickets website, Spar and Super Spar stores, EQ Tickets kiosks or the EQ Tickets Call Centre on 087 980 3000.

A complete list is available on the Spar Website www.spar.co.za and EQ Tickets Website moc.stekcitqe@gnikoob3102nocfa. The tickets contain advanced and extensive security features to ensure authenticity and to foil counterfeit attempts.

Purchased tickets are not transferable and in terms of the Consumer Protection Act, cancellation and full refund on purchased tickets may be considered in instances where cancellation is due to death or hospitalisation.

The dti further urged consumers to blow the whistle on scams by contacting its agency the Consumer Commission on its call centre number: 086 026 6786 or via email on az.oc.ccneht@inobmotihsteNN .

Afcon will be hosted at Gauteng's Soccer City Stadium; North West's Royal Bafokeng Stadium; the Eastern Cape's Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium; Mpumalanga's Mbombela Stadium and KwaZulu-Natal's Moses Mabhida Stadium.