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Ms Rosemary Siyachitema

Charity Ruzvidzo Business Reporter
THE Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) has urged the government to expedite the passing of the Consumer Protection Draft Bill into law to prevent exploitation of consumers by business.Rosemary Siyachitema, the consumer protection board’s executive director, yesterday said the draft bill, crafted four years ago, would curb the continued exploitative relationship between businesses and consumers once approved.

“We’re still pushing the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to assist in making the Consumer Protection Draft Bill passed into law. So far the Attorney General’s office has the copy and if it is approved we can begin to end the unfairness that is going on between consumers and businesses,” she told Business Chronicle.

“The absence of a comprehensive legislative law that protects consumers gives us less legal power to deal with offenders.”

The highlights of the bill include dealing with fraud, high pricing systems, consumer health in light of the sale of expired products and general service quality.

Siyachitema, however, said there was still room for additional contribution into the contents of the bill and announced a meeting of concerned parties was on the cards to discuss the subject.

“Consumers and businesses should be given the opportunity to discuss the Consumer Protection Bill so as to create a fair law,” she added.

CCZ is a statutory body under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce tasked with protecting the rights of consumers, ensuring they get fair trade, competition and accurate information regarding products offered on the market.