Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
COUNTERFEIT goods syndicates are targeting desperate Mutare shop owners and street vendors, flooding the city’s downtown trading district with fake household products sold at knockdown wholesale prices, The Manica Post can reveal.
Traders say they are being lured into buying cheap stock — including counterfeit disinfectants, skin lotions, imitation petroleum jelly and other fast-moving consumer goods — only to later discover that the products are fake, unsafe or rejected by customers.
The illicit trade was thrust into the spotlight last Friday when Congolese national, Alex Aishayiku appeared before Mutare magistrate, Mr Honest Musiiwa, charged with fraud and contravening immigration laws after allegedly trying to sell counterfeit Domestos disinfectant to a local shop owner.
Aishayiku, who has no valid work permit and is of no fixed abode, was remanded in custody.
Prosecutor, Ms Sandra Mlambo, said Aishayiku defrauded the complainant, Ms Martha Chigwere, who owns Rise and Shine Wholesalers in downtown Mutare.
“In early March 2026, Aishayiku, acting in common purpose with two other Congolese nationals identified only as Coke (male) and Fabiola (female), who are still at large, supplied Ms Chigwere with 95 boxes of what they claimed was genuine Domestos multi-purpose disinfectant and bleach.
“Each box reportedly contained 20x750ml bottles, priced at US$30 per box. Ms Chigwere allegedly agreed to pay after selling the stock and first paid a deposit of US$150,” said Ms Mlambo.
However, when she attempted to sell the products, customers allegedly rejected them after noticing that they were counterfeit.
Realising she had been trapped in a scam, Ms Chigwere contacted the suppliers and claimed she had sold the goods and had US$1 500 ready for collection.
“On April 8, Fabiola allegedly instructed Aishayiku to collect the money and also sent an additional 80 boxes of the suspected fake Domestos.
“The following day, Ms Chigwere alerted the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) officers, who reportedly attended the scene and arrested Aishayiku while he was demanding payment,” she said.
She said investigators from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce also assisted in seizing and examining the products, with preliminary checks concluding that the substance was fake.
In total, 173 boxes containing the counterfeit product were seized, valued at US$5 400.
Aishayiku was not asked to plead to the charges.
A snap survey by The Manica Post observed that counterfeit syndicates move from shop to shop offering well-known brands at prices that undercut the market.
“They come looking very convincing and speak confidently about known brand names, and they offer goods at prices that make you think you are getting a better deal.
“If you are not careful, you lose money and customers because customers do not want anything fake,” said one grocery wholesaler who requested anonymity.
He said the problem is compounded by Mutare’s strategic proximity to Forbes Border Post, a busy entry point linking Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
“Smuggled and counterfeit products can easily find their way into the city before spreading to surrounding districts,” he said.
Cosmetics retailer, Ms Chido Murakati said fake lotions branded as popular products like Nivea and Vaseline are also in circulation.
“You can tell later that the packaging is poor or the smell is different.
“But some traders only notice after customers complain,” she said, adding that some small businesses buy the products because formal suppliers often demand cash upfront, while informal dealers offer credit terms.
Ms Mukarati called for stronger market inspections, random product testing and tighter enforcement against undocumented syndicates using fake identities and mobile operations, while consumers were cautioned against buying goods sold at unusually low prices or products with poor packaging, spelling mistakes, broken seals or suspicious smells.
Female vendor, Ms Lilian Steva said fake detergents, soaps, lotions and beverages are regularly offered to them on credit.
“These dealers lure you by telling you that you will only pay the balance after selling the products. Some vendors agree because business is hard, but when customers come back complaining, you lose trust. Sometimes they accuse us of knowingly selling fake things,” she said.
A Mutare resident, Ms Lucia Mataruse, said she once bought a cheap body lotion from an informal trader only to develop a skin rash.
Consumer Council of Zimbabwe chief executive officer, Mrs Rosemary Mpofu recently said the spread of counterfeit and substandard goods carries serious implications for the country.
“The proliferation of substandard and counterfeit goods poses significant risks that include health risks from consuming hazardous or contaminated products, economic losses due to unpaid taxes and levies, as most of these products are smuggled through borders, and unfair competition with industry resulting in reduced profits and job losses,” she said.
