Midlands Correspondent
Government is set to overhaul the consumer protection framework by consolidating enforcement functions under the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC), with resources and staff currently supporting the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) expected to be transferred to the commission.
Vice President Retired General Constantino Chiwenga said the initiative will establish the CPC as Zimbabwe`s primary statutory body responsible for enforcing consumer protection and product standards.
The Vice President said this while officially opening the Consumer Protection Commission’s 2026 Annual Consumer Conference at Gokwe Centre in the Midlands Province.
Chiwenga said the proposed arrangement would strengthen the enforcement of consumer protection laws and address unfair trading practices, unsafe and substandard products, misleading conduct and emerging risks in modern markets.
“Government intends to move towards strengthening the consumer protection framework by consolidating enforcement capacity under the Consumer Protection Commission,” he said.
“The proposed arrangement requires that resources and staff currently supporting Consumer Council of Zimbabwe be allocated to the CPC, positioning the commission as lead statutory and enforcement agency for consumer and product integrity.”
Chiwenga further directed Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu to formulate stricter legislation to penalize individuals and companies engaged in producing and importing illegal goods.
“I want to task Industry and Commerce Minister to come up with laws to punish those involved in the manufacture and importation of illegal goods,” he said.
Chiwenga said the reforms were aimed at creating a fair, transparent and trusted marketplace for consumers and legitimate businesses.
“The objective is to build a firm, transparent, competitive, and trusted marketplace in which business compete on quality, innovation, and integrity and consumers can have confidence that their rights are effectively protected,” he said.
He said Zimbabwe already had legislative provisions to safeguard consumers, but stressed that effective enforcement was critical.
“Zimbabwe already has important legislative foundations including the Consumer Protection Act to safeguard consumer rights and promote fairness in the marketplace. However, laws are only effective when they are followed,” Chiwenga said.
