Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Raj Modi has revealed that the government will soon introduce the Consumer Protection Bill. The bill which has already been approved by the cabinet will impose heavy fines and in the worst case scenario revoke licences for all businesses which increase the prices of goods and services without justification. According to the government, the new law will empower the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ).
Speaking to the Sunday Mail, Modi said,
Everything is now in order. The Bill is ready and now awaits to go to Parliament. The Bill has been on hold for quite some time now; thus, Government is going to work with speed so that it becomes law. We want to create a law for consumer protection like most countries have done, a law that will give teeth to the Consumer Council (of Zimbabwe) to make sure there are no unfair business practices and unjustified price increases…The law will be able to take certain action where appropriate. For example, at the moment, when there are unwarranted price (increases), there is nothing much that can be done, the best they can do is just complain about that and it ends there.
More: Sunday Mail