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.
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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.
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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

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.
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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:
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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.
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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

About 30 per cent of basic foodstuffs such as bread, mealie-meal and sugar being sold in tuckshops and on the streets are underweight, the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) has said.
The CPC conducted investigations in over five provinces across the country and found that certain products, despite being labelled with the correct weight, contained less than indicated on the packaging, and some products had expired.
The investigation established that soft drinks accounted for roughly 60 per cent of all expired goods. Mbare was identified as a key source of underweight products.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/30pc-consumer-goods-in-tuckshops-underweight-report?">The Sunday Mail</a>, CPC chairperson Mthokozisi Nkosi said random checks were done on basic grocery items such as mealie meal, salt, rice and sugar. Said Nkosi:
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It is estimated that such goods account for under 30 per cent of the total being sold. A standard loaf of bread is supposed to be 350 grammes or 700 grammes, and some shops were found selling bread not conforming to the statutory mass and were accordingly prosecuted.
Sugar, in particular the one written Star Sugar, was found to be short in mass, with a 2kg packet weighing 1,6kg.
The selling of underweight goods and measures is shameful, unethical and illegal.
Concerning expired products, the major ones found were beverages and some food items, with beverages accounting for over 60 per cent.
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Nkosi said CPC has embarked on a nationwide blitz, working with Trade Measures, a department in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, targeting retailers.
He revealed that in total, 1,903 retailers have since been prosecuted this year for violating consumer protection regulations, with 647 cases relating to quality offences. He added:
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Investigations have indicated that the major culprits selling underweight and expired products are the small to medium enterprises, with big supermarket cases being marginal.
The bulk of the underweight products are not coming from established manufacturers, but information points to the fact that these are unscrupulous people buying products from manufacturers in the right quantities, repackaging them, mostly in some parts of Mbare, and selling to unsuspecting consumers…
Offenders found guilty are liable to a fine not exceeding Level Six or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year, or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
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Nkosi said the Trade Measures department checks whether products being offered for sale are not short of the quantity required, declared or deceptively/misleadingly packaged to give the impression that the product is more than what is contained.
Earlier this month, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce urged members of the public to be vigilant and report all those found short-changing consumers to its offices or the CPC.
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce’s Trade Measures Department is located on the 13th Floor, Mkwati Building, Cnr 5th Street and Livingstone Avenue, Harare (Contact Numbers: +263 242 707 540/791 823).
The Consumer Protection Commission is at 17 J. Chinamano Ave, Motor Industry Pension Fund Building, Harare (Main Line: +2638677010042, Hotline numbers: +263 719 176 856/861/865 Call Centre: +2638677010043).
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30% Of Foodstuffs In Tuckshops Are Underweight - CPC

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has warned businesses that are allegedly selling products which are underweight and not properly labelled that they will be prosecuted.
In a statement, the Ministry said those businesses found guilty of violating the Trade Measures Act (Chapter 14:23) and the Consumer Protection Act (Chapter 14:44) and deceiving members of the public will be prosecuted. Reads the statement in part:
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The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has noted with concern illegal practices by some unscrupulous businesses who are shortchanging consumers through deceptive tendencies of selling products which are underweight, do not meet labelling requirements and using illegal measuring equipment in clear contravention of the Trade Measures Act (Chapter 14:23) and the Consumer Protection Act (Chapter 14:44).
Manufacturers, packers, retailers and the general public are reminded that in terms of the legislation cited above unless otherwise exempted, it is a requirement that any products for sale in any form shall be sold in prescribed quantities and clearly labelled in a manner as stipulated in the legislation.
It is also an offence to use measuring equipment which is not certified, incorrect, illegal or tampered with. All traders are obliged to have their equipment assized for conformity by the Trade Measures Department.
In line with their mandate of protecting consumers against unjust trading practices, as well as deceptive, misleading, unfair or fraudulent conduct, the Trade Measures Department, Consumer Protection Commission and other relevant agencies of the Government continue to undertake campaigns targeting businesses involved in these illicit and deceptive practices.
Therefore, we would like to urge all perpetrators to immediately stop these malpractices as anyone found in violation of the aforementioned Acts will be liable to prosecution.
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The Ministry has urged members of the public to be vigilant and report all those found short-changing consumers to its offices or the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC).
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce’s Trade Measures Department is located on the 13th Floor, Mkwati Building, Cnr 5th Street and Livingstone Avenue, Harare (Contact Numbers: +263 242 707 540/791 823).
The Consumer Protection Commission is at 17 J. Chinamano Ave, Motor Industry Pension Fund Building, Harare (Main Line: +2638677010042, Hotline numbers: +263 719 176 856/861/865 Call Centre: +2638677010043).
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Ministry Of Industry Warns Businesses Selling Underweight Products

Eighteen (18) retail outlets were last year fined for selling expired goods in contravention of the Consumer Protection Act, with one of the shops fined US$3 000 by the High Court for selling baby products that expired in 2015.
Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) research and public affairs manager Kudakwashe Mudereri told State media that they launched an operation targeting shops selling expired and substandard products between April and December 2023.
Mudereri cited retailers Food World, Gains Cash and Carry and Bismilar Investment as the major culprits. He said:
<blockquote>
In line with the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, which requires the commission to enforce consumer rights through its inspectors, compliance officers and investigators have been carrying out enforcement blitzes throughout the country, working with other law enforcement agents and other key stakeholders.
From April to December 2023, the Consumer Protection Commission prosecuted 18 companies for selling expired products.
What is more worrying to the commission is that one of the shops caught and prosecuted for selling expired products was selling baby products, which expired as far as 2015, thereby destroying the future of the country.
Given the severity of the case, the shop was prosecuted at the High Court and made to pay a fine of US$3 000.
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Section 10 of the Consumer Protection Act prohibits suppliers from selling or marketing goods that do not conform to mandatory safety and quality standards.
Mudereri said consumers have the right to health and safety as prescribed by the Consumer Protection Act and can return goods to the supplier if the goods are not safe or have defects.
He also said that Section 42 of the Consumer Protection Act outlawed “disclaimer clauses” by prohibiting suppliers from displaying notices that purport to disclaim any liability including “No Refund, No Returns and No Exchanges”. Added Mudereri:
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Furthermore, Section 51 (1a) and (2) require suppliers of goods and services to take necessary and appropriate measures to provide fair value, good quality and safe products to consumers.
It is in this spirit that suppliers are prohibited from selling expired products, where any supplier or trader who contravenes this legal requirement shall be guilty of an offence and liable for prosecution
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The Consumer Protection Act is designed to protect the rights of consumers and regulate business practices to ensure fair and ethical treatment.
The law empowers consumers to seek compensation for damages or losses resulting from unfair business practices.
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Shop Fined US$3 000 For Selling Baby Products That Expired In 2015

The Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) said that more than 400 retailers have been prosecuted, while 100 others have been issued with compliance notices over the past two months for breaking the law in their dealings with consumers.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/400-retailers-sanctioned">State medi</a>a, CPC research and public affairs manager Kudakwashe Mudereri revealed that some of the culprits are telecommunications companies.
The companies have been accused of engaging in the sale of expired products, non-compliance with product labelling regulations and failure to display prices on goods, among other violations.
Mudereri warned retailers who persistently cheat and default on their obligations that they will have their licences revoked. He said:
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So far, over 3 000 inspections have been done. Out of that, over 100 have been issued with compliance notices and over 400 have been successfully prosecuted and over 200 cases have been successfully investigated.
Over 98 per cent of the investigations have resulted in consumers being given their refund or an exchange of the faulty product or good.
Some have even been given their mobile phones back by telecom companies after our interventions.
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Mudereri said the most prevalent violations included displaying disclaimer notices such as “No returns”, “No refunds” and “No exchange” and selling expired products.
The other violations include failure to give a warranty on products; failure to display prices for goods and services; failure to provide product labelling; and failure to issue receipts to customers.
CPC has carried out successful inspections in Harare and Bulawayo and has now turned its attention to all small towns across the country. Added Mudereri:
<blockquote>
Following the arrests that were made in Harare, Bindura and Chinhoyi, the commission also made some arrests in Manicaland, where over 60 businesses were made to pay fines for violating provisions of the Consumer Protection Act.
In addition, the commission did 291 inspections in Masvingo, and 33 businesses were issued with compliance notices and 88 were prosecuted.
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The Consumer Protection Act (Chapter 14:44) confers rights to consumers. Some key features and provisions of the Consumer Protection Act are consumer rights, prohibition of unfair practices, product liabilities and safety, consumer contracts, consumer education and awareness, and dispute resolution.
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