Online Reporter
Prosper Dembedza-Herald Correspondent
NATBASE Investments (Private) Limited has been fined US$300 after being found guilty of selling counterfeit Pearlenta maize meal.
The ruling was made by Harare magistrate Mr Gamuchirai Gore.
He ordered the company, represented by Blessed Marewo (42), to pay the fine by the end of this month.
Agreed facts are that between May and June 2025, officials from National Foods Limited received complaints from customers regarding their Pearlenta super refined maize meal. The complaints were to the effect that the meal was dark and flawed.
In response to the complaints, a random check was conducted in Harare’s Central Business District.
On July 22, a team comprising representatives from National Foods, the Trade Measures Inspectorate, the Consumer Protection Commission, and the Zimbabwe Republic Police, visited Natbase Investment’s business premises.
During the inspection, a standard scale was set in the presence of the company’s officials.
Ten bags of 10kg packages of Pearlenta maize meal were randomly selected and weighed.
The average mass of the maize meal was found to be 9 667 grammes for one set and 9 674.5 grammes for another.
The findings revealed that the products were short of the required quantity, violating the Trade Measures Act (Chapter 14:23).
Natbase Investments’ officials were subsequently arrested for contravening section 23(1)(d) of the Trade Measures Act.
Exhibits, including 10x10kg packages of Pearlenta maize meal, were seized and booked at Harare Licence Inspectorate under reference 216/2.
The court determined that the accused had no right to act in the manner he did, leading to the fine being imposed.
That was a slap on the wrist comparing to the profit that Natbase realised out of this criminal activity. The justice system in this country is flawed. What does the consumer who was cheated by Natbase benefit from the $300 fine imposed? Granted, tomorrow Natbase will continue with its practise.