By Caroline Washaya-Moyo
GOKWE, Midlands Province — Government is moving to strengthen consumer protection by consolidating institutional capacity under the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC), as it steps up the fight against counterfeit, unsafe and substandard products.
Honourable General (Retired) Dr C.G.D.N. Chiwenga, Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, made the remarks at the 2026 Annual Consumer Conference in Gokwe, held under the theme: “Safe Products for Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth, anchored in Consumer Protection.”
Dr Chiwenga said counterfeit and unsafe products had evolved beyond an intellectual property and commercial concern to become a public health, consumer protection and economic governance challenge.
He called for a coordinated national response involving regulators, law enforcement agencies, customs authorities, local authorities, manufacturers and rights holders.
Government intends to strengthen the CPC by consolidating consumer protection capacity within the Commission. Under the proposed reform, resources and staff currently supporting the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe will be reallocated to the CPC, positioning it as the lead statutory agency responsible for consumer and product integrity.
Dr Chiwenga said the reform would strengthen Zimbabwe’s ability to respond to increasingly complex threats, including counterfeit and unsafe products, unfair trading practices, misleading conduct and emerging risks in modern markets.
The proposed arrangement represents a shift from an advocacy-based approach historically associated with the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe towards a stronger statutory model anchored in the Consumer Protection Act.
The reform, however, is not intended to weaken consumer education, advocacy or public participation. Instead, Government wants these functions complemented by stronger technical and institutional capacity within the CPC.
The Commission is expected to play a more proactive role in market surveillance and investigations, working with standards authorities, customs, police, local authorities, manufacturers and other stakeholders.
Dr Chiwenga said the objective was to create a marketplace where businesses compete on quality, innovation and integrity, while consumers have confidence that their rights are protected and effective remedies are available when those rights are violated.
He also called for tougher penalties against those who manufacture, import, distribute or sell illicit and unsafe products.
Zimbabwe’s first Consumer Protection Policy, he said, provides a basis for proactive surveillance of high-risk products.
This will require closer cooperation among the CPC, Standards Association of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, Zimbabwe Republic Police and local authorities, with information sharing and joint operations becoming routine.
Dr Chiwenga said measures should cover the entire supply chain, from the country’s borders through wholesalers and retailers to informal markets, with greater emphasis on preventing unsafe products from reaching consumers.
He welcomed the expansion of consumer protection services beyond major cities, saying people in areas such as Gokwe, Nkayi, Binga, Chiredzi and Chisumbanje should enjoy the same protection as consumers in Harare and Bulawayo.
Government raised particular concern over products and practices that threaten public health, including unsafe skin-lightening products, unregulated body-altering procedures and the illegal production of unlicensed alcoholic beverages.
On e-commerce, Dr Chiwenga said the growing digital economy offered opportunities for wider market access and innovation but also exposed consumers to fraud, counterfeit goods and data breaches.
He called for stronger cybersecurity, vendor verification and consumer redress mechanisms, alongside regional cooperation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) to support safer cross-border trade.
The Vice President also called for action against the harassment and intimidation of passengers by bus operators, touts and other individuals at transport termini.
He urged the CPC, police and local authorities to address the problem, publicise complaint hotlines and ensure grievances were resolved promptly.
Local authorities, he said, must also ensure that bus termini are clean, safe and equipped with basic facilities such as toilets and clean water.
Dr Chiwenga further urged authorities and businesses to address unfair pricing, refusal to provide change or accept alternative forms of payment, the sale of expired goods and poor service standards.
He called on businesses to make consumer protection part of corporate governance, risk management and quality assurance systems, while treating consumer complaints as useful feedback for improving products and services.
Consumers were encouraged to protect themselves by reading product labels, comparing prices, understanding contracts, keeping proof of purchase and reporting unfair practices.
Dr Chiwenga said an empowered consumer was essential to the attainment of an empowered and prosperous upper-middle-income economy.
He challenged delegates to translate discussions into practical commitments that strengthen consumer protection, promote fair competition and support sustainable economic growth.
He subsequently declared the 2026 Annual Consumer Conference officially open.
