Counterfeit goods crisis escalates

BY SAMUEL NJINGA

The proliferation of counterfeit products has escalated into a national crisis, with regulators and consumer protection bodies warning that the surge in substandard goods is now undermining public safety, eroding consumer confidence, and distorting Zimbabwe’s economy.

The gravity of the threat emerged during this year’s World Consumer Rights Day commemorations held in Masvingo, where the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) led proceedings at Urban Lifestyles Hotel alongside key stakeholders, including the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ), the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), and the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA).

The event drew senior Government officials, underscoring the urgency of the counterfeit goods scourge. Among those in attendance were Anxious Masuka, Ezra Chadzamira, and Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu, who delivered the keynote address.

While stakeholders acknowledged progress in advancing consumer rights, the deliberations exposed the scale and complexity of Zimbabwe’s counterfeit goods problem, which has now penetrated multiple critical sectors.

Speaking to Business Times, CPC Director of Research and Public Relations Kudakwashe Mudereri described counterfeit products as the Commission’s “major enemy,” warning that the issue has evolved into a nationwide emergency.

“This is no longer a small problem affecting isolated markets—it is now a national issue that cuts across industries and affects every Zimbabwean consumer,” he said.

Research presented at the event revealed that counterfeit goods have infiltrated key sectors including food, pharmaceuticals, fuel, electricals, and telecommunications. Many of these products fall below minimum safety and quality standards, posing severe risks to public health and safety.

In the food sector, substandard and, in some cases, expired products are being repackaged and sold to unsuspecting consumers. In pharmaceuticals, fake medicines are putting lives at risk by failing to deliver effective treatment. Meanwhile, in the energy sector, contaminated or diluted fuel continues to damage vehicles and industrial machinery.

Mudereri attributed the spread of counterfeit goods to a combination of structural and market-driven factors, including porous borders, weak enforcement capacity, informal trading networks, and the rapid expansion of digital marketplaces.

“The informal sector is a critical part of our economy, but it also creates loopholes that are exploited by unscrupulous traders. Cross-border trade has made it easier for counterfeit products to enter the country,” he said.

Echoing these concerns, Consumer Council of Zimbabwe Chief Executive Officer Rosemary Mpofu said the problem, while longstanding, has intensified amid economic shifts and technological disruption.

“The rise in counterfeit products continues to undermine consumer confidence and exposes citizens to serious risks,” Mpofu said.

She warned that the growth of e-commerce and social media-driven trading has added a new layer of complexity, with consumers increasingly purchasing goods online without verifying authenticity.

“Digital platforms have improved access to goods, but they have also created new channels for counterfeit products. In many cases, there is limited accountability, leaving consumers vulnerable,” she said.

In his keynote address, Ndlovu said Government is deeply concerned about the health implications of counterfeit goods, describing them as a direct threat to citizen welfare.

“These products compromise quality standards and pose serious dangers, particularly in sectors such as food and pharmaceuticals,” he said.

He reaffirmed Government’s commitment to tightening regulatory enforcement, strengthening quality control systems, and enhancing coordination among institutions tasked with protecting consumers.

Stakeholders emphasised that tackling the counterfeit crisis requires a coordinated, multi-sectoral response involving regulators, industry, law enforcement agencies, and consumers.

POTRAZ called for stronger monitoring systems within the telecommunications sector, particularly to curb the influx of counterfeit mobile devices and accessories, while ZERA stressed the need for stricter compliance enforcement in fuel distribution and energy markets.

Findings also pointed to a significant gap in consumer awareness, with many Zimbabweans lacking the knowledge and tools to distinguish between genuine and fake products.

To bridge this gap, the CPC and its partners are ramping up nationwide consumer education campaigns aimed at empowering citizens with information on product standards, labelling requirements, and reporting mechanisms.

“When consumers are informed and vigilant, they become the first line of defence,” Mudereri said.

The Commission also called for tougher penalties for offenders and enhanced collaboration with border control authorities to stem the influx of counterfeit goods.

As Zimbabwe joins the global community in marking World Consumer Rights Day, the message from regulators is unequivocal: safeguarding product integrity is no longer just a regulatory obligation—it is a national imperative.

The fight against counterfeit goods will demand sustained enforcement, policy innovation, and collective action to protect consumers and restore confidence in the marketplace.