Govt seizes over 4,000 units of fake goods, prosecutes 419 businesses in nationwide smuggling crackdown
A total of 3,779 businesses have been inspected nationwide, resulting in 419 prosecutions and the seizure of more than 4,000 substandard products, as authorities intensify a crackdown on smuggling and consumer rights violations.
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce says it has been carrying out surprise inspections on businesses and prosecuting offenders for selling counterfeit goods, underweight products, using multi-tier pricing, and other unfair practices.
Recently, the ministry’s officials, together with the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (AZ) conducted a survey which revealed that nearly 50% of groceries being sold from tuck shops and vending stalls are fake and potentially hazardous to health.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said over 3,000 businesses have been inspected nationwide and over 400 have been prosecuted in order to protect consumers and promote fair trade.
“A nationwide crackdown on smuggling is underway and it involves impromptu inspections on businesses to ensure compliance with regulations.
“Offenders who exploit consumers through unfair practices including; selling counterfeit products, delivering underweight goods, imposing multi-tier pricing schemes, and using inadequate labelling, among other deceptive dealings, are being prosecuted.
“The Ministry is pleased to inform the public that to date, a cumulative total of 3779 businesses have been inspected with 419 prosecutions finalised. A total of 402 compliance notices have been issued and 4,816 units of various substandard products were seized,” the statement reads.
The ministry also warned businesses against violating the Consumer Protection Act (2019), which is administered to protect consumers and ensure that businesses adhere to fair and ethical practices.
Meanwhile, due to economic hardships, most citizens buy groceries from tuck shops where they are cheaper compared to supermarkets.
Some of these products are smuggled from neighbouring countries, South Africa and Zambia, while some are being illegally produced locally. _*NewZimbabwe*_
