admin
Tendayi Nyahuye Herald Reporter
Corruption has far-reaching implications on society and creates disproportionate costs on consumers, a senior Government official has said.
Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Chiratidzo Mabuwa told people at a recent World Consumer Day event in Harare that while corruption profited a few, it was the consumers that bore the burden of this vice through distorted pricing.
“Public corruption has taken a bigger slice of the attention with private sector corruption following behind,” she said. “Both forms are driven by greed that has gone out of control and both are a major assault on consumer rights.
“Consumers are made to pay for services at tariffs beyond cost and reasonable margin. Worse still, consumers are often made to pay for services and then are denied those services.”
Ms Mabuwa urged businesses to shun corruption to help protect consumers from distorted pricing.
She said her ministry was still consulting stakeholders on how best to improve the draft Consumer Rights Bill. Ms Mabuwa called on stakeholders in the mobile banking and financial services sector to bring proposals that improve the draft Bill.
“The Bill does not as yet address mobile financial services specifically. My ministry will, therefore, need to be guided by colleagues who are involved in mobile banking and financial services in order to improve the existing draft Bill. This will be with a view to incorporate consumer concerns on the matter.
“I can assure you it is no longer business as usual. A draft of the Bill is already in place and is being examined by the relevant authorities before it can be tabled in Parliament. I know this is after extensive consultations with CCZ as well as the consumers themselves.”
Consumer Council of Zimbabwe director Rosemary Siyachitema said there was need for legislation that covered mobile banking and other utilities.
Information Society Initiatives Trust’s Mr Reuben Gwatidzo urged consumers to be knowledgeable of their rights.
Online Reporter