Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
THE Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) has called for a stronger partnership with the media to enhance consumer awareness and strengthen protection against unfair trade practices.
The consumer watchdog said many Zimbabweans were still unaware of the organisation’s role despite its long-standing mandate to safeguard consumer rights.
Speaking during a media engagement workshop in Harare on Thursday, CCZ chief executive officer Mrs Rosemary Mpofu said the initiative marked the beginning of closer collaboration with journalists to improve the organisation’s visibility and educate consumers on their rights.
“Today’s workshop is significant because it marks the beginning of a closer partnership between the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe and the media community,” she said.
“The media is our mouthpiece, and we need your support to create the much-needed visibility so that people know where to go when they face consumer protection challenges.”
Mrs Mpofu said although CCZ has been serving consumers for more than seven decades, many people still did not know where to seek assistance when they encountered problems with suppliers of goods and services.
She said the organisation receives and resolves consumer complaints daily through conciliation and mediation, but public awareness of its services remained low.
“We have been working for consumers for 71 years, but many consumers do not know that we are here. They do not know where to find us or the work that we do every day in resolving complaints,” she said.
Mrs Mpofu said the workshop will also pave the way for the introduction of the CCZ Media Awards, which will recognise outstanding journalism focusing on consumer protection issues and promote greater public understanding of consumer rights.
She said consumer education remained central to the council’s mandate, as informed consumers were better equipped to make sound purchasing decisions and protect themselves from exploitation.
“An informed consumer is an empowered consumer. If consumers do not know their rights, they can easily be abused in the marketplace,” she said.
“Consumer education will never be enough and the media has a critical role to play in ensuring consumers are informed.”
Mrs Mpofu said the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act in December 2019, following nearly two decades of advocacy, has significantly strengthened consumer protection in Zimbabwe.
She said the legislation guarantees consumers the right to fair and honest dealing, safe and quality goods and services, full disclosure of information, protection against unfair business practices and access to redress where they suffer prejudice.
Mrs Mpofu said the Act had outlawed unfair trading practices such as notices stating “No Returns, No Refunds” and other disclaimers that sought to deprive consumers of their legal rights.
She said businesses that continue displaying such notices risk prosecution under the law.
Mrs Mpofu said the establishment of the Consumer Protection Commission has strengthened enforcement of consumer protection laws, while CCZ continues to exercise its statutory mandate of conciliation and arbitration between consumers and suppliers under Section 55 of the Consumer Protection Act.
She urged journalists to continue exposing unfair business practices, misleading advertising, unsafe products, digital scams and poor service delivery, saying the media remained an indispensable partner in promoting accountability and protecting consumers.
