Moffat Mungazi
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
GOVERNMENT has put in place a multi-stakeholder anti-smuggling and business malpractices taskforce in Manicaland that is expected to descend heavily on smuggling merchants as well as unscrupulous business operators, The Manica Post has learnt.
Of late, there has been increasing prevalence of business malpractices in the market, characterised by influx of counterfeit products, smuggled goods, misleading advertising, unfair pricing, substandard and dangerous products.
In a move to curb these growing mischievous tendencies by unscrupulous business agencies, Cabinet made a decision to immediately operationalise anti-smuggling campaign and blitz across the country.
To that effect, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza launched this campaign, and established an Anti-Smuggling Taskforce for Manicaland on Monday in order to combat the alarming rise in smuggling activities and their devastating effects to the economy.
In an interview, chairperson of the taskforce in Manicaland, Mr Kupukani Masunungure said the province, by virtue of its location, plays an important role in combating business malpractices and contributing to the development of an organised, legal and responsible business citizenry.
“The anti-smuggling campaign will be a national campaign encompassing all provinces across the country, starting with targeted hotspot areas, such as border towns and the two major metropolitan cities. Thus, the first phase will cover Harare, Bulawayo, Beitbridge, Masvingo, Mutare and Chinhoyi.
“The primary objective of this important initiative is to combat the alarming rise in smuggling of counterfeits, and other business malpractices that threaten the welfare of the consumer, and also negatively impact the Zimbabwean industry and economy in general.
“The blitz will therefore be looking at whether the targeted imported consumer goods have been legally imported, and this calls for the production of the requisite customs clearance papers as evidence.
“The blitz will also be looking at whether stocked goods are still fit for human consumption, through verification of expiry dates. More often than not, some unscrupulous business operators have been offloading expired products on the market, in particular beverages,” he said.
Mr Masunungure said there will be targeted operations at strategic border points and markets known for smuggling activities.
“The surveillance and enforcement agents undertaking the blitz will also take the opportunity to educate the consumers about their basic rights and the dangers of buying counterfeits from unregistered business operators, as this puts their health and welfare at risk.
“There will be targeted operations at strategic border points and markets known for smuggling activities. The provincial structures will be expected to inform and guide the mapping of the routes for the blitz in their respective territories,” he said.
The Anti-Smuggling Taskforce comprise of all business regulators and security forces, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Ministry of Women Affairs Community and Small and Medium Enterprises, ZIMRA, ZRP, RBZ (Financial Intelligence Unit), Trade Measures Department, local authorities, Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe, Consumer Protection Commission, ZERA, EMA, among others.
All teams shall be fully constituted with all relevant regulators and stakeholders to ensure that all perpetrators of smuggling and other business malpractices are brought to book for each and every breach of the existing laws and regulations. No perpetrator shall be allowed to go scot-free for whatever reason.
Mr Masunungure said: “The Ministry of Industry and Commerce is encouraging consumers to be conscious of their rights and safety through supporting businesses that prioritise consumer welfare as well as reporting suspicious business activities.
“Our Motto is: ‘Empowering Consumers, Enhancing Trust, together we can build a fair and safe market for all’. Consumers are encouraged to report suspicious business activities and consumer rights infringement to our Consumer Protection Hotline.”
