CPC Reveals 15% Of The Products In Zimbabwean Shops Are Fake

Zimbabwe’s Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) has revealed that at least 15 percent of products sold in the country’s retail shops are fake .

This marks a significant decrease from the estimated 30 percent recorded a few years ago, according to CPC chairperson Dr. Mthokozisi Nkosi, who shared the details with The Sunday Mail.

15% Of The Products In Shops Are Fake

The counterfeit products, often found in boutiques, supermarkets, and other retail outlets, include items such as underweight goods and electronics with bogus labels. Dr. Nkosi emphasized that the CPC’s compliance and inspection department plays a vital role in identifying and addressing these fake products.

“By working closely with other relevant authorities, such as ZIMRA (Zimbabwe Revenue Authority), the Zimbabwe Republic Police, and other agencies like ZERA (Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority), the CPC has been able to prosecute numerous offenders,” he said.

While counterfeit goods once made up nearly a third of products on the market, the figure has now dropped to around 15 percent. However, concerns remain about how these products are entering the country.

“In some instances, these products are being imported into the country. How they are doing that is something that we are interrogating regularly,” Dr. Nkosi explained.

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How Conterfeit Goods Flood Zimbabwe

Products in shops fake — *CPC Reveals That 15% Of The Products In Zimbabwean Shops Are Fake [Image: File]*

The CPC believes that some of these counterfeit products enter Zimbabwe as imported goods, which are then repackaged and sold under false labels.

“Someone can just produce something and then they give a label that resembles a genuine product,” Nkosi said.

Items such as televisions and cell phones with reputable labels have been found to be counterfeit.

In response to the rising threat, the CPC has carried out investigations nationwide to uncover and dismantle networks involved in the production and sale of fake goods. The Commission has successfully prosecuted several individuals and businesses engaged in these activities.

Dr. Nkosi stressed the need for harsher penalties to deter counterfeiters.

“In terms of the penalties, it varies depending on the severity of the offence, but it can go as high as Level Four. In some instances, we are also seeing that some of these penalties are not deterrent enough for such culprits; hence we are also trying to lobby so that at the end of the day, we come up with penalties that ensure there is sanity in the marketplace.”

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