Johannesburg – The Consumer Goods and Services Ombudsman (CGSO) Board of Directors on Thursday announced the appointment of Liaquat “Lee” Soobrathi as its new Ombudsman.
Soobrathi will take up office on 1 July 2023.
An admitted attorney and conveyancer, Soobrathi has extensive experience in the consumer and credit space, where he served for 12 years, first as senior legal advisor to the Credit Ombudsman and most recently, as Head of Complaints and Dispute Resolution in the office of the Credit Ombud.
CEO and Acting Ombud, Queen Munyai, said she was delighted to welcome Soobrathi to the team.
“Lee joins us at a critical time when the CGSO is stepping into the next decade.
“During the last 12 months, we have completed a rigorous fit-for-purpose review ahead of our 10th anniversary this year to ensure that as an organisation we remain relevant, effective, and efficient in an evolving consumer landscape.
“Lee’s legal training together with his negotiation and mediation experience makes him the ideal candidate to head up our team of adjudicators.”
Commenting on Soobrathi’s appointment, Michael Lawrence, chair of the CGSO said: “Lee is well versed in the alternate dispute resolution process and has extensive hands-on experience in investigation and dispute resolution.
“This, combined with his strong credit and consumer law credentials will advance our mission of ensuring fair play between consumers and suppliers in the consumer goods and services industry.”
Soobrathi obtained his LLB from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal in 2008 and holds a Master of Laws from the University of Johannesburg (2018).
He is an admitted attorney (2010), an admitted conveyancer (2011) and a Member of the International Golden Key Society (2018).
