Popular fast food chain in South Africa hit with R1 million fine
The Braai Block has had a R1 million penalty imposed by the National Consumer Tribunal, which was upheld after its appeal was dismissed.
Braai Block is a popular fast-food chain specialising in braai and braai-style foods, with 16 branches across Gauteng.
The group was founded in 2016 by entrepreneur Simon Malikhanye Mabena, who is listed as its sole director.
However, the chain fell foul of consumer protection laws in December 2024, when a disgruntled customer tipped the National Consumer Council (NCC) off about potential violations of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA).
At the time, the consumer alleged that Braai Block did not include the location of its trading address in its tax invoices. Secondly, Braai Block charged a service fee on each transaction.
“The service fee amount depends on each meal’s cost and varies from transaction to transaction. The NCC then initiated an investigation,” the commission said.
Following investigations, the NCC found that the group was in contravention of sections 23(6)(a) and 26(3)(b) of the Consumer Protection Act.
Section 23 relates to the disclosure of prices for goods or services, with subsection 6(a) stating that “a supplier must not require a consumer to pay a price for any goods or services that is higher than the displayed price for those goods or services.”
Meanwhile, Section 26(3)(b) states that the sales record must include at least the address of the premises where the goods or services were supplied.
The matter moved to the Consumer Tribunal, which ultimately found that Braai Block deceived its customers, violating significant provisions of the CPA. It fined the group R1 million.
Following the order, Braai Block attempted to rescind the ruling, but the application was filed too late.
In a June 2025 ruling, the Tribunal refused condonation for the late filing of the rescission application, having failed to “establish good cause or cover its full delay”.
In October 2026, the Tribunal dismissed an appeal of this ruling.
The Tribunal noted further that the National Credit Act (NCA) applies strictly to orders granted in the absence of a party.
“Consequently, the R1 million administrative penalty remains in force,” it said.
The NCC welcomed the ruling, which was one of six rulings settled by the Tribunal and the High Court.
The other judgments dealt with the conduct of car dealerships that failed to comply with the CPA.
Two rulings addressed suppliers of goods and services that failed to issue sales records, displayed goods written in a foreign language, and sold expired foodstuffs.
One judgment dealt with a travel group that refused a refund for a cancelled trip.
Combined, the judgments covered penalties totalling R1.7 million.
Images of Braai Block and its food
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