Online Reporter
Judith Phiri, Zimpapers Business Hub
THE Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) has called for an urgent multi-agency law enforcement operation to combat growing trade in counterfeit or fraudulent electronic goods across the country.
The trend, which has become rampant in most parts of the country, is now happening in broad daylight and common places such as the central business districts (CBDs) of major cities and towns.
In a letter to the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Harare Metropolitan Province Commander, Commissioner Maxwell Chikunguru, CZR president Dr Denford Mutashu warned that the issue had reached alarming levels.
The illicit trade, he said, was undermining consumer protection and fair business practices.
“The CZR, representing the interests of formal retailers and wholesalers across Zimbabwe, is gravely concerned by the growing infiltration of counterfeit, refurbished and fraudulently marketed electronic goods, particularly smartphones, tablets, laptops and related accessories, within the Harare central business district,” he said.
“We are writing to formally request your urgent intervention and collaboration in conducting a multi-agency enforcement operation targeting these illegal activities, which have reached alarming levels and are undermining the integrity of the retail sector, defrauding unsuspecting consumers and weakening regulatory compliance.”
He said CZR had not only received widespread reports from affected consumers and retailers, but that some of its officials had witnessed the fraudulent practices first hand.
Dr Mutashu said a cellphone bought from a store in central Harare malfunctioned within days of use.
“Attempts to seek a refund or replacement proved futile, with the seller becoming evasive and belligerent, clearly demonstrating the impunity with which these shops operate.
“This single case is a microcosm of the daily exploitation faced by hundreds of Zimbabwean consumers,” he said.
He said the sellers of the counterfeit goods were misrepresenting refurbished or used devices as brand new, violating intellectual property laws and evading tax obligations.
In addition, the operators do not issue receipts for a sale or use registered trading names.
Since the traders operate outside consumer protection and telecommunications regulatory frameworks, they often have no traceable physical or legal identity.
Dr Mutashu said the implications were far-reaching, with legitimate retailers facing unfair competition from unscrupulous operators, while the Government was losing significant potential revenue due to tax leakages.
Unsuspecting consumers, who are at the mercy of these unscrupulous retailers, are left without any avenues for recourse.
