By Andrew Zhou
MASVINGO – The Consumer Protection Commission has been cracking down on bad
business practices. Since 2025, 2,905 businesses were prosecuted for selling expired,
counterfeit, or substandard goods, and 634 more have already faced action in 2026.
The announcement was made by Consumer Protection Commission Chairperson
Respina Zinyanduko during World Consumer Rights Day commemorations at Urban
Lifestyles Hotel, Masvingo on March 18, 2026.
Zinyanduko revealed that the commission’s enforcement department had been working
tirelessly to clean-up the marketplace.
“We have been working tirelessly with our partners the law enforcement agents and the
Consumer Council of Zimbabwe to clean up all counterfeit products which are in the
market”. Said Zinyanduko.
According to the statistics released, 2,271 businesses were prosecuted in 2025, while
634 have already been brought to book in the first quarter of 2026. The 634
prosecutions already recorded in the first quarter of the year demonstrates the
commission’s increased pace on consumer protection.
“We have managed to prosecute a total of 2,271 businesses in the year 2025. These
businesses were selling dangerous, expired and counterfeit goods. This year a total of
634 have already been prosecuted for the same offences”. Noted Zinyanduko.
The Chairperson emphasised that the commission would not tolerate businesses that
compromise the health of citizens by offloading adverse products into Zimbabwe’s
market.
“The Commission remains resolute in its mandate to protect consumers from
unscrupulous business actors. We have scaled up our inspections across the country to
ensure that no one is above the law. These 2,905 prosecutions serve as a clear
message that selling expired, counterfeit, or substandard goods is a high-risk venture
that will result in the full wrath of the law being applied”. Said Zinyanduko.
The Consumer Protection Commission urged the public to remain vigilant and continue
reporting retailers who fail to adhere to safety and quality standards as the commission
continues its nationwide crackdown.
