By A Correspondent – A nationwide enforcement campaign has uncovered widespread consumer protection failures, with hundreds of businesses being prosecuted for selling expired products, raising concerns over the effectiveness of market oversight.

The Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) says it has prosecuted 572 businesses for selling expired goods since January as part of an intensified campaign targeting counterfeit products and unfair trading practices.

Speaking in an interview, CPC Board Chairperson Commissioner Respina Zinyanduko said the commission had stepped up inspections after discovering widespread violations of consumer protection laws.

“The Consumer Protection Commission, a statutory body established through an Act of Parliament, the Consumer Protection Act, is seized with the challenge of counterfeit products in the market and prevalence of other business malpractices,” she said.

“It is against this background that the Commission has been carrying out enforcement activities to ensure that businesses comply with provisions of the law.”

According to the commission, inspectors carried out 12,105 inspections across Zimbabwe’s ten provinces, identifying 1,615 businesses that failed to comply with the law.

Authorities also issued 925 compliance notices to offending businesses.
Selling expired products emerged as the most common offence, with 572 prosecutions.

Another 471 businesses were cited for failing to display prices, while 291 were found selling goods without proper labelling.

Commissioner Zinyanduko said consumers continue to suffer because some businesses ignore basic legal requirements.

“Through its enforcement efforts, the Commission has been inundated with various complaints where businesses are short-changing consumers,” she said.

Other offences recorded during the inspections included failure to issue warranties, failure to display warning signs, misleading advertising, illegal disclaimer clauses, failure to provide receipts and other unfair trade practices.

Masvingo recorded the highest number of prosecution notices despite not conducting the highest number of inspections, while Matabeleland South led the country in inspection volumes.

Bulawayo registered the largest number of compliance notices, suggesting many businesses were ordered to correct violations rather than face immediate prosecution.

Commissioner Zinyanduko said inspection teams have increasingly focused on previously under-served areas following the rollout of the government’s devolution programme.

“In summary, provinces like Matabeleland South and Masvingo led in inspection volumes and prosecution outcomes, while Bulawayo showed notably stronger compliance notice results.

On the available monthly figures, Matabeleland North stands out as the current national leader in detections and prosecutions,” she said.

The commission also urged shoppers to remain vigilant by checking expiry dates, warning labels, supplier information and demanding receipts for every purchase.

“Consumers who suspect a product is counterfeit, expired, underweight, or illegally repackaged are urged to report it to the Commission for investigation,” Commissioner Zinyanduko said.

She warned that counterfeiters are increasingly targeting popular household brands.

“Recent seizures of counterfeit Hullets sugar and Eversharp pens, as well as fake Nivea and Shield Sheen products, show that even well-known brands are being targeted by counterfeiters,” she said.

The CPC said it is working with the Zimbabwe Republic Police, ZIMRA, the Standards Association of Zimbabwe and several other government agencies to combat counterfeit goods and illegal trading practices.

During the first half of the year, the commission conducted six nationwide enforcement blitzes and referred around 130 cases to other regulatory authorities.

Looking ahead, Commissioner Zinyanduko said the commission intends to increase routine inspections, particularly in remote parts of the country, as it seeks to strengthen consumer protection and reduce market abuses.