malvernmugadzikwa
Emmanuel Kafe
OVER 180 rogue retailers have been prosecuted, while 48 others have been issued with compliance notices for various offences, the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) has said.
The infringements include selling expired products, failure to provide product labelling and failure to display prices on goods.
Persistent defaulters risk suspension and revocation of their trading licences.
A two-week blitz by the CPC, which covered at least six provinces, inspected over 1 037 businesses and retail outlets, as it sought to protect consumers against unfair trading practices.
In a move to tame market indiscipline by businesses, the commission has teamed up with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, the Department of Immigration, the Trade Measures Department, the Small and Medium Enterprises Department, and the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
Two other commissions will soon be enlisted to carry out surveys on price movements.
CPC research and public affairs manager Mr Kudakwashe Mudereri said businesses that were found on the wrong side of the law have been issued with compliance and prosecution notices.
“From the enforcement operations done so far in Harare, Bulawayo, Matabeleland region, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central and Midlands, 1 037 inspections were conducted on businesses, and out of that, 48 businesses were issued with compliance notices. One hundred and eighty were successfully prosecuted.”
Mr Mudereri said the most prevalent violations included displaying disclaimer notices such as “No returns”, “No refunds” and “No exchange”; selling expired products; failure to give a warranty on products; failure to display prices on goods and services; failure to provide product labelling, and failure to issue receipts to customers.
He added:
“The commission will also be working with the other agencies in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, such as the Competition and Tariff Commission (CTC) and the National Competitiveness Commission, carrying out surveys on the movement of prices in the market and proffer recommendations, in line with the law.”
The statutory body said the blitz is meant to ensure that businesses comply with the law and stop short-changing consumers.
“In its enforcement, the Consumer Protection Commission was looking at whether businesses are not violating the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act (Chapter 14:44), which was promulgated by the Second Republic against any unfair trade practices, exploitative, and unscrupulous practices of businesses.”
The CTC is also looking at dodgy business practices by manufacturers and service providers.
The Consumer Protection Act confers rights on consumers, which are now protected by law.
In line with Section 65 of the Act, any consumer who alleges that rights in terms of this law have been infringed, impaired or threatened, or that prohibited conduct has occurred or is occurring, has the right to approach the commission, a designated consumer protection organisation or court, so that corrective action is taken.
What the law covers includes the right to consumer education and awareness; the right to health and safety; the right to choose; the right to information; the right to be heard, representation and redress; and the right to fair contractual agreements.
Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers president Mr Denford Mutashu said businesses should adjust to the new normal of medium- to long-term stability.
“The exchange rate has stabilised and pricing should reflect the same, in order to restore sanity in doing business.
“Consumers should enjoy the benefits of economic stability through responsible pricing by businesses,” he said.
“The era of speculative and extortive pricing is long gone.”
Online Reporter