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Oliver Kazunga Senior Business Reporter
THE Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) has embarked on nationwide elections for its regional executive committees as the body prepares for consultative workshops on the recently launched Consumer Protection Bill.

CCZ executive director Rosemary Siyachitema told Business Chronicle before the election of Matabeleland region executive committee members in Bulawayo on Tuesday that the Consumer Protection Bill would culminate in a Consumer Protection Act being promulgated.

If passed into law, the legislation will curb the continued exploitative relationship between business and consumers.

“We’re here (Matabeleland) for the election of regional executive committee members, we’re from a similar exercise in Manicaland, and on Thursday (today) we will be in Gweru before we wind up the exercise in Harare and Masvingo in the next coming weeks,” said Siyachitema.

“The Consumer Protection Bill was launched on the 15th of October and we want to conscientise the new regional committees about the bill so that they become acquainted with what is contained in it as well as having them giving us their input in the next three months when we come up with nationwide consultations to conscientise consumers about the bill.

“The regional chairpersons will be members of the CCZ board so when the board sits we’re looking at what consumer protection programmes to take into consideration.”

Siyachitema said CCZ has five regional offices in Harare, Matabeleland, Manicaland, Midlands and Masvingo adding that the election of new executive committees in these regions was expected to go a long way in addressing consumerism issues.

The consumer watchdog’s elections in Matabeleland saw Ntokozo Nyoni being elected regional chairman while Rex Maseko became the vice chairman.

Lancelot Maphosa and Sithabile Tshuma were elected the region’s secretary and vice secretary respectively.

Melisa Ndlovu was elected CCZ Matabeleland region’s treasurer while Thandekile Nkomo and Herbert Masvaure were elected committee members.

The new regional executive committees are all expected to serve a one-year term.

After the elections, Siyachitema said: “What is important is what you (new regional executive) are going to promote consumer protection. At the end of your tenure of office, you need to evaluate and say this is what I’ve done during my term of office. For example, in my case if I leave CCZ, I would say I left a legacy, the country has a Consumer Protection Act.”