Zimpapers Logo

Sikhulekelani Moyo, Business Reporter
THE Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) says efforts are underway to finetune legal provisions that will set the level of fines for various offences in a bid to promote consumer protection and weed out unethical business conduct.

Speaking during an Industry and Commerce Parliamentary Portfolio Committee workshop held in Bulawayo last week, CPC chairperson Dr Mthokozisi Nkosi said there was general ignorance on consumer rights among members of the public.

This has seen consumers being silently affected by issues like hidden costs, inadequate treatment by staff and misleading or deceptive promotional campaigns.

Dr Nkosi said CPC’s mandate is to protect consumers and regulate the accreditation of consumer protection advocacy groups among other functions.

He said the bulk of consumer rights awareness was being done by the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe with the commission coming in to enforce those rights.

“The law has come in place now to punish those who violate consumer rights and what we are working on are regulations to say the level of fine for these various offences is this much,” said Dr Nkosi.

“If regulations are in place and we get into a shop and find those disclaimer clauses like ‘No return, No refund’, we don’t talk to you, it’s a fine or a ticket straight away, no negotiations. In the next two or three weeks our regulations will be done.”

Dr Nkosi said the commission has already received some complaints from consumers, which they are handling in an effort to resolve the disputes.

“Even without the regulations we were working with our legal team but now they have been appointed to other duties but we have other reported cases, which we have dealt with.

“For example, a Nigeria embassy official bought a computer in Harare and after a few days the computer was not working and they took it back, but the service provider refused to refund him.

“The matter was reported to us and we addressed that. This is one of the issues we have addressed as the commission,” said Dr Nkosi.

“Yes, we might not have done well in terms of consumer education to know what they have as rights but those who know, we expect them to exercise those rights. Infact, consumers have the right to be educated, businesses have an obligation to give consumers full information, which is believed to be important.”

Dr Nkosi urged consumers to demand receipts as proof of transactions in case they are not happy with the goods and services and might need to go back and that proof of a transaction is needed.

“In the Consumer Protection Act, there is what we call cool off period, if you realise that you don’t like the product you bought, you are allowed to return the product and get your money back in full, and this should happen in all sectors,” he said.

“We encourage consumers to speak with one voice.” Speaking at the same event Industry and Commerce permanent secretary Dr Mavis Sibanda said it is pleasing to note that there is a lot of energy by the CPC in putting order in the market and to ensure consumer protection.

“Dr Nkosi was telling us they are really doing everything possible to put order in the market because people are being cheated and sold things that are not advertised in proper packaging.

“So, they are trying to put everything in place to make sure that this stops,” said Dr Sibanda. — @sikhulekelaniM1