Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Mthuli Ncube, has said authorities will now treat all alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as basic commodities like refined sugar, detergents, and dairy products, as smuggled items unless the owner can prove they paid customs duty.
This is being done to stop the influx of smuggled goods into the domestic market, which is hurting local industries by creating unfair competition.
Ncube’s remarks were delivered by Joseph Mverecha, the ministry’s chief director of economic affairs, during a presentation titled “Macro Economic Stabilisation Policies” at the Zimbabwe Staff College in Harare on Thursday, March 13, as part of the Joint Command and Staff Course.
Ncube said that while authorities have already launched a nationwide crackdown on smuggled goods, some counterfeit products are being made in local backyard industries.
Smuggled goods are in high demand because they’re cheap, as they don’t pay import duties or taxes. However, reduces demand for goods sold by registered operators, making it hard for them to stay viable, pay taxes, and create jobs.
Ncube said despite these headwinds, Zimbabwe is expected to grow by 6% this year, driven by a strong recovery in agriculture and good performance in mining and tourism. Said Ncube:
<blockquote>
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, dairy products, washing powder, detergents and sugar, among others, are now deemed as smuggled unless sellers provide documentary evidence that customs duty was paid for.
</blockquote>
Ncube said to address informalisation, the Government has taken steps to level the playing field. The introduction of a 5% withholding tax payable to wholesalers and manufacturers is aimed at improving tax compliance among unregistered small to medium enterprises.
He said the value-added tax registration threshold has been reduced from US$40,000 to US$25,000, encouraging more businesses to formalise their operations.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/tough-measures-to-curb-smuggling-fake-goods/">The Herald</a>

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Customs duty payment is now needed for groceries, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. This is to stop smuggled goods from unfair competition. The government is cracking down on smuggled items to help local industries. Smuggled goods are cheap because they don't pay taxes. This makes it hard for legal businesses to survive and create jobs. Zimbabwe is expected to grow by 6% this year despite these challenges. The government is trying to level the playing field by introducing new measures to improve tax compliance and formalize businesses.

Proof Of Customs Duty Payment Now Required  For Groceries, Alcoholic And Non-Alcoholic Beverages

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has warned that the growing spread of counterfeit products in the country poses a significant threat to local industries if not addressed.
Speaking at the National Economic Consultative Forum (NECF) Dialogue on the Consequences of Counterfeit Products in Harare on Wednesday, 12 March, ZRP national spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said that consumers are often deceived by counterfeit items, which are packaged to look identical to genuine products, sometimes even appearing more attractive. Said Nyathi:
<blockquote>
If people take this counterfeiting issue for granted, they will wake up with no industry in Zimbabwe because the impact and implications are very broad, to be honest, and it is cutting across all sectors of the economy; look at agriculture which is being supplied with fake fertiliser, fake seed and fake chemicals.
And as police, we are saying the social and economic development of any country cannot effectively take place where there is no order.
From a health point of view, this is a security threat because we now have people bringing in fake vaccines, and some people are cashing in between US$20 000 and US$60 000 per week from these illicit deals.
</blockquote>
Buy Zimbabwe CEO Alouis Burutsa said that individuals selling counterfeit products should be regarded as economic saboteurs and dealt with severely. Said Burutsa:
<blockquote>
Government is no longer collecting as much because everyone is counterfeiting and informalising. Through the Ministry of Justice (Legal and Parliamentary Affairs), we appeal to you to be serious about these things and put in place serious deterrent measures.
If somebody is caught with a pangolin, they go to jail for nine years. But someone who is killing the economy is given a fine of US$30 and goes scot-free. It does not make sense.
So, we need to be serious as a country and start taking these things and label these people as economic saboteurs and deal with them as such.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/counterfeits-a-threat-to-zim-industry-zrp/">The Herald</a>

Counterfeit products are fake and look like real ones, fooling people to buy them. ZRP warns that this is bad for Zimbabwe because it hurts local industries. Fake products are in many areas like agriculture and health. Counterfeit sellers should be punished, just like people who harm animals. ZRP and Buy Zimbabwe urge the government to take strong action against fake products to protect the economy. It's important to stop counterfeit items from spreading to keep Zimbabwe's industries safe and help the country grow.

ZRP Warns Of Growing Threat Posed By Counterfeit Products

Douglas Runyowa, the Chief Director for Commerce in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, has said nearly 50% of groceries seized from tuck shops and vending stalls during the ongoing crackdown on counterfeit and smuggled goods in Zimbabwe are fake and potentially harmful to health.
Speaking before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Industry and Commerce on Tuesday, Runyowa expressed concern over the growing problem of counterfeit products in Zimbabwe, saying the situation has reached alarming levels. He said (via <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/half-of-stock-sold-in-zimbabwean-tuck-shops-are-fake-goods-ministry-official/">ZimLive</a>):
<blockquote>
Most of what we have seen in the informal sector is quite shocking, and in our awareness programmes, we are saying it might be cheap but it’s coming at an expense to your health because we cannot guarantee what is not there.
Our health authorities have not certified some of those goods as safe and fit for human consumption, hence we really need to intensify our efforts through an all-stakeholder approach and it is a fight that would also be needed for our portfolio committee to help us intensify, because really what is out there is quite scary.
</blockquote>
Runyowa revealed that the counterfeit products seized include fake Vaseline, flour, rice, and toothpaste. He said:
<blockquote>
I would like to, not to scare you, but to advise you that we recently carried out a survey with the Standards Association of Zimbabwe where we went and bought products from the shelf and took them for testing and compared what was written in the results; 50 per cent of the products did not comply. You can actually see fake Vaseline, fake flour, fake rice, fake toothpaste, and this is an alarming rate.
You will be aware that over the last quarter, going back to October, there has been an intensified blitz against counterfeit goods, against smuggled goods, so much so that even this afternoon we are actually destroying about four tonnes of goods that were actually confiscated during that practice, to ensure that we remove them from the shelves, because we cannot guarantee our people that they are actually consuming safe goods.
</blockquote>
Runyowa called on Parliament to lend its support in the ongoing battle against the spread of counterfeit products.

Half of all groceries sold in Zimbabwean tuck shops are fake and can be harmful to health. The government is trying to stop the sale of these counterfeit products. The Chief Director for Commerce is worried about this problem getting worse. They found fake Vaseline, flour, rice, and toothpaste being sold. They did tests and found that 50% of the products were not safe. The government is working hard to remove these fake products from the shelves. They need help from Parliament to fight against counterfeit goods.

"Half Of Grocery Items Sold In Zimbabwean Tuck Shops Are Fake"

The Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) has uncovered a syndicate of dishonest businesses in Bindura’s central business district, Mashonaland Central Province, involved in repackaging low-quality, underweight sugar.
The sugar, weighing 1.6kg, was being falsely labelled as 2kg under the brands Star Brand and Sugar Pack, deceiving consumers and shortchanging them. The CPC stated:
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These despicable pseudo businesspersons were caught during the ongoing Cabinet directed operation/blitz against business malpractice where CPC conducted inspections in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Trade Measures Department, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), the Zimbabwe Republic Police, and the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
Preliminary Intelligence information indicates that this business is a major supplier of illegally repacked sugar in the country.
The shop was subsequently closed, the sugar confiscated, and legal proceedings have been initiated against them.
So far during the ongoing operation, over ninety unscrupulous businesses were prosecuted, and those found guilty of serious offenses have been taken to court to answer to their charges.
Such actions constitute a clear violation of section 10 of the Consumer Protection Act (Chapter 14:44), which prohibits suppliers from selling or marketing any goods or services unless they meet the mandatory safety and quality standards as prescribed by law.
</blockquote>
CPC has urged members of the public with information on where this Star Brand sugar or Sugar Pack is being sold or repacked to report such cases to the Commission through our Hotlines: +263719 176 856 / 861 / 865, Netone tollfree number 08012301, or our call centre number +263 867 701 0043.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A group of dishonest shops in Bindura, Zimbabwe were caught selling fake 2kg sugar packs that actually only weighed 1.6kg, cheating customers. The Consumer Protection Commission shut down the shops and confiscated the sugar. They are now facing legal action. This is part of a bigger operation to stop businesses from tricking people. The CPC is asking the public to report any more shops selling fake sugar. They have already prosecuted over ninety businesses for breaking the law. This goes against the rules to protect consumers and the shops can face serious consequences for their actions.

CPC Shuts Down Shops For Selling Fake 2kg Sugar Packs

Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu said that the government has stepped up efforts this upcoming festive season to combat smuggling and the trade in counterfeit products, which pose risks to public health and the economy.
Ndlovu admitted the influx of illegally imported goods, such as baby formula, detergents, and harmful substances, has been a long-standing issue.
However, he stated that the government has implemented measures to safeguard the public from potential harm while supporting the local manufacturing sector.
These measures include the deployment of personnel to marketplaces and border points to intercept and eliminate smuggled and counterfeit products. Said Ndlovu:
<blockquote>
We want to ensure that smuggled and counterfeit goods do not enter Zimbabwe this December. Our goal is to protect consumers from potential violations during this period.
We have declared war on counterfeit goods and are strengthening our institutions to tackle this issue effectively.
This will significantly reduce the influx of counterfeit and substandard products, which are particularly prevalent during this season.
</blockquote>
The increase in smuggled goods on the local market is primarily fueled by porous borders and high demand for cheaper alternatives.
Areas like Mbare and downtown Harare have been identified as hotspots where unscrupulous traders repackage substandard products to deceive consumers.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The government of Zimbabwe is working hard to stop people from bringing in fake and bad food and other things from other countries. They want to keep people safe and help local businesses. They are sending people to places where these fake things are sold to stop them from being sold. They are also making sure everyone knows that these things are not good for them. People are bringing in fake things because it's cheaper, but the government wants to stop this. They are focusing on places like Mbare and downtown Harare where people sell fake things to trick others.

Zimbabwe "Declares War" On Smuggled, Counterfeit Groceries Ahead Of Christmas

Illegally imported counterfeit goods, including soft drinks, detergents, and baby formula, have flooded the Zimbabwean market, posing serious health and economic risks.
A recent market surveillance by the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) revealed that the influx is driven by porous borders and high demand for cheaper alternatives.
Some of the smuggled products were found with toxic additives, pathogens, and spoiled ingredients.
These dangerous goods can cause foodborne illnesses, allergic reactions, and long-term health issues.
Small retail shops in Mbare and downtown Harare are hubs for repackaging substandard goods.
Low-grade rice is being rebranded as premium Mahatma rice, and counterfeit Mazoe orange juice from Zambia is widely available.
Responding to questions from <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/smuggled-counterfeits-goods-flood-zim">The Sunday Mail</a>, CPC research and public affairs manager Kudakwashe Mudereri said:
<blockquote>
The commission took part in market surveillance and intelligence gathering ahead of an anticipated anti-smuggling blitz.
The commission focused on the proliferation of smuggled, counterfeits and substandard products in the market. It was noted that the market is flooded with products from Zambia, South Africa and Mozambique.
The products included soft drinks, sugar, flour, infant formula, detergents… The commission has also noted that there is an increase in the availability of smuggled, counterfeit and substandard electrical gadgets, gas tanks and solar panels in the market.
These products often contain harmful substances, including toxic additives, pathogens and spoiled ingredients, which can lead to severe health issues such as food-borne illnesses, allergic reactions and long-term chronic conditions.
</blockquote>
Mudereri said the counterfeit goods not only undermined local industries, resulting in revenue losses and job cuts within sectors such as agriculture and retail, but also eroded consumer trust, destabilised the market and jeopardised the community’s well-being. He said:
<blockquote>
The practice of selling counterfeit/fake products is more prevalent in Mbare and other hotspot areas, where various products are being repackaged using wrong packaging, thereby deceiving and short-changing unsuspecting consumers.
Some of the products which were allegedly being repackaged were rice, wherein these unscrupulous individuals took low-grade or substandard rice and repackaged it as Mahatma rice…
Selling of smuggled goods such as Coke soft drinks, Powerplus drinks, Mazoe Orange Crush, and Lactogen, which are being smuggled from Mozambique and Botswana, is very common in downtown tuckshops.
Tuckshops selling these products are suspected of being owned by foreigners from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia; therefore, there is a need for further investigations by the Immigration Department of Zimbabwe.
Mazoe from Zambia; sugar from Malawi; makanyanisi, Castle Lite, Detroit, Corona, Bahama, Hunters, Mayfair and Cremora from South Africa; Cerevita and Impilo mealie meal from DRC; Minute Maid from Zambia have also been observed to be flooding Zimbabwean markets.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

People are bringing fake stuff into Zimbabwe, like soft drinks and baby formula, which can be dangerous. The border is not well controlled, so the bad goods come in easily. These fake products can make you sick and cause big problems. Some shops are tricking people by putting bad rice in good rice packages. The country is losing money and jobs because of this. It's important to stop this and keep everyone safe.

Illegally Imported Counterfeit Goods Flood Zimbabwe

Two men from Harare have been ordered to perform unpaid community service and pay fines after being caught selling underweight sugar.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Ernest Gwetsai (30) from Glenview 1 and Forget Dzapasi from Glen Norah A were recently convicted in the Harare Magistrates’ Court on two counts related to the sale of falsely labelled and underweight sugar.
The duo was found guilty of delivering products with misleading labels and selling goods without invoices.
They sold “Star Brands 2kg” brown sugar, which was found to be underweight, ranging from 1.243 to 1.330 kg per pack.
The illegal activities were uncovered by police detectives, who purchased a case of the sugar from KKK shop at Target Building, Corner Bute and Rezende St, Harare, in June 2024.
Subsequent investigations revealed that Gwetsai and Dzapasi were the suppliers of the sugar, but they could not provide any documentation for a second consignment delivered to the same shop. They were unable to explain the lack of invoices or delivery notes for the goods.
As a result, the two men were sentenced to 12 months in prison, with four months suspended for five years.
An additional eight months were suspended on the condition that they complete 210 hours of community service.
They were also fined US$100 for selling goods without invoices.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Two men from Harare were caught selling sugar that was lighter than what the label said. They were found guilty in court for this. They were selling sugar without invoices. The police discovered this when they bought the sugar from a store in Harare. The men were sentenced to 12 months in prison, but some of the time was suspended. They also have to do community service and pay a fine. This shows that it is important to sell products honestly and accurately.

Two Harare Traders In Court For Selling Underweight Sugar

A Spar outlet situated at Five Avenue Shopping Centre in Harare was among the shops raided by officials from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development on Thursday.
The government launched a crackdown against shops and supermarkets selling counterfeit, expired and smuggled goods that have flooded the markets in the capital, Harare, and other cities across the country.
Zimbabwe has become a haven for smuggled goods, including alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages, which are often sold at below-market prices at shops and on street pavements.
This influx of illicit products has posed a challenge for local manufacturers, who have been voicing their concerns about the unfair competition to the government.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200033431/govt-raids-shops-over-imitations">NewsDay</a> yesterday, senior agricultural economist Simbarashe Masanga said shops should follow proper procedures when bringing goods into the country. Said Masanga:
<blockquote>
So they know that these products require permits, but they are actually doing the delivery. So that’s why we are seizing this flour from Spar Five Avenue.
The permit requirements are just a simple registration with AMA. Then you apply for a plant import permit from Plant Quarantine Services Institute.
Then we also issue a control of goods import permit straight from the Ministry of Agriculture and then you are good to go. And if the quantities are not even limited, you can import as much as you want.
</blockquote>
Masanga said that some of these smuggled products are not even in short supply, but are being illegally imported despite local production of the same goods.
He said the smuggled goods pose unfair competition for legitimate local brands that can easily compete.
Masanga said to address this issue, the authorities have launched a crackdown, raiding shops and supermarkets found selling counterfeit, expired or smuggled products.
He also warned that businesses caught selling these illicit goods will face heavy fines, which the AMA intends to make punitive enough to deter such practices.
The agency plans to expand these enforcement efforts across all shops to “bring sanity into the agricultural marketing space.”
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The government in Zimbabwe raided a Spar supermarket for selling fake, expired, and smuggled goods. Many shops in the country are selling illegal items like alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks at cheap prices, which hurts local businesses. Government officials are cracking down on these shops and warning of heavy fines for those caught. They want to stop this unfair competition and bring order to the market. Everyone should follow the rules for bringing goods into the country to help local businesses thrive.

Government Raids Supermarkets Over Counterfeit And Smuggled Goods

Two residents of Sakubva, Mutare, Chipo Harawa (33) and Kudzanai Nyaruwata, have each been fined US$200 by the Mutare Magistrates’ Court for violating the Trademark Act by selling goods with forged registered trademarks.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), on September 23, a Loss Control Officer representing Eversharp Private Limited was conducting routine checks for counterfeit products when he visited CPM Investments.
There, he observed Harawa selling counterfeit pens. When asked about the source of the pens, she declined to provide any information.
Following this encounter, the complainant filed a police report, which led to the arrest of the accused. Authorities seized 86 boxes containing 50 pens and 42 individual pens that bore the forged Eversharp trademark.
In a related case, Nyaruwata, the director of KM Investments, was found in possession of 16 boxes containing 50 pens and 23 individual pens also affixed with the forged Eversharp trademark, which were similarly seized.
Both Harawa and Nyaruwata were sentenced to pay a fine of US$200 each or face 30 days in prison in default. The counterfeit goods were forfeited to the state.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Chipo Harawa and Kudzanai Nyaruwata from Zimbabwe were fined for selling fake Eversharp pens. They were caught by a Loss Control Officer who saw them selling the counterfeit pens in their stores. The police seized many boxes of fake pens with forged trademarks. Harawa and Nyaruwata were each fined $200 or faced 30 days in jail if they didn't pay. They had to give up the fake goods to the government. It is wrong to sell fake products with fake trademarks, and they got in trouble for it.

Mutare Duo Fined US$200 For Selling Counterfeit Eversharp Pens

Counterfeit grocery items have flooded Bulawayo’s informal markets, raising concern that this put the health of consumers at risk.
As reported by <a href="https://www.zbcnews.co.zw/business/consumers-grapple-with-counterfeit-groceries/">ZBC News</a>, counterfeit products have filled informal shops mostly found along busy streets in high-density suburbs.
The products include dishwashing liquid, baked beans, toothpaste and Mazoe, and are often sold at significantly lower prices compared to genuine products.
Some of the counterfeits have blurry labels, misspelt brand names, and flimsier packaging.
A Bulawayo resident who spoke to ZBC News said the products are cheaper and in some cases, it is difficult to detect that they are counterfeit. Said the consumer:
<blockquote>
The products are cheaper compared to those in the formal shops and this makes one to prefer them. I have come across fake toothpaste. You use it and realise this is not [genuine] and what hurts is that l would have bought it and no one will refund me.
</blockquote>
A vendor said that the products are locally available and cheaper than South African imports. The vendor said:
<blockquote>
We buy them locally, from some people here downtown. They come here as early as five am and they tell us the products are from Harare and they are affordable compared to the same products coming from South Africa. As someone doing business, we buy the cheaper ones to have profit.
Most of our products we get them from Botswana or South Africa. We buy Mazoe from Botswana and sell it at US$3 compared to the local price and any general person will buy the cheaper one.
</blockquote>
However, Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) Chairperson, Mthokozisi Nkosi, urged authorities to clamp down on suppliers of counterfeit products. He said:
<blockquote>
We urge consumers to be vigilant and only buy from reputable sources. Look for genuine brand markings, check expiry dates, and if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
We also call on the responsible authorities to crack down on the production and distribution of these counterfeit goods.
</blockquote>
Mpilo Hospital Clinical Director, Dr Solwayo Ngwenya warned that counterfeit products may have long-term health implications for the public. He said:
<blockquote>
Some of the foodstuffs have heavy impurities such as heavy chemicals and metals and may interfere with people’s hormones and in the long term be associated with cancer.
We need collaboration between health officials, consumer protection agencies, and law enforcement to tackle this issue.
Public awareness campaigns are also crucial to educate people about the risks of foodstuffs produced in factories that are not safe and certified.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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