By Ebi Kesiena
The Zimbabwean government has launched an aggressive campaign to combat the influx of smuggled and counterfeit goods as the festive season approaches.
The move aims to protect public health, ensure consumer safety, and boost local industries.
Speaking on the issue, the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mangaliso Ndlovu, underlined the longstanding challenges posed by illegally imported items such as baby formula, detergents, and other potentially harmful products.
Ndlovu emphasized that the government has rolled out strategic measures to address the problem head-on. These include deploying personnel to markets and border points to intercept counterfeit and smuggled goods before they flood the local market.
“We want to ensure that smuggled and counterfeit goods do not enter Zimbabwe this December. Our goal is to protect consumers from potential harm and violations during this period,” Ndlovu stated.
Also, the Minister revealed plans to reinforce institutions tasked with combating the menace, ensuring they are equipped to effectively tackle the issue. The government’s proactive measures aim to significantly reduce the prevalence of substandard goods, which typically see a surge during the festive period.
Ndlovu identified porous borders and the high demand for cheaper alternatives as the key drivers of the smuggling crisis. Popular markets like Mbare and downtown Harare have become hubs for unscrupulous traders who repackage substandard goods to deceive unsuspecting consumers.
“We have declared war on counterfeit goods and are strengthening our institutions to deal with this issue effectively,” he added.
The Minister added that as inspections intensify, citizens are urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious products.
