admin
Sikhulekelani Moyo, Business Reporter
CONSUMERS have commended the Government for crafting policies that protect them from manipulation by some unscrupulous business operators who did not respect consumer rights.
The New Dispensation led by President Mnangagwa has pushed the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act, which was signed into law in 2019 to protect consumer rights while promoting industry growth through the production of quality goods and services.
The Government has also established the Consumer Protection Commission, which operates as an implementation mechanism of the Consumer Protection Act.
The commission has also been mandated to protect consumers, regulate the accreditation of consumer advocacy groups, construct alternative dispute resolution and conduct consumer awareness in collaboration with all key stakeholders.
In an interview, Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) Matabeleland regional manager, Mr Comfort Muchekeza, said the Government has so far done well in terms of coming up with policies that protect consumers.
“So far in terms of legislation, which protects consumers the Government and the stakeholders have done the best. But as you are aware, we will never come to a situation where we say we need no other laws,” he said.
“As we come to the end of the year and focus on 2023 and beyond, there is a need for the Government and all stakeholders to up the game in terms of implementing Consumer Protection laws and regulations.
“For example, the Consumer Protection Act chapter 14:14 talks of fines for not displaying prices but we are yet to see those who have been fined.”
Mr Muchekeza said as a consumer body they would like to see regulatory bodies, Government agents, parastatals, and other service providers partnering with them to educate consumers on their rights and responsibilities.
“The CCZ would like to take the service provider to the consumers and give them a chance to meet and discuss issues, which affects them and how best the service providers can answer to the needs of the consumers,” he said.
Sometime towards mid-year, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce held a stakeholder consultative meeting in Bulawayo on consumer protection policy issues whose outcomes were expected to feed into the draft Consumer Protection Policy document, which augments the Consumer Protection Act. — @SikhulekelaniM1.
Online Reporter