Ministry of Industry and Commerce Intensifies Crackdown on Smuggling and Counterfeits

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has stepped up a nationwide crackdown on smuggling, counterfeit goods, and other unfair business practices. Authorities say enforcement will continue well beyond the holiday season until all enterprises comply with the law.

Working with other government agencies, the ministry is carrying out unannounced inspections on businesses to ensure compliance with the Consumer Protection Act of 2019. Offences being targeted include selling counterfeit goods, delivering underweight products, imposing multi-tier pricing systems, and using inadequate or misleading labelling.

Ministerial data shows that 3,779 businesses have been inspected to date. These inspections have led to 419 prosecutions, 402 compliance notices issued, and the seizure of 4,816 units of substandard products.

The initiative is part of the Zimbabwe Industrial Reconstruction and Growth Plan (2024–2025), which aims to protect consumers, improve product quality, and promote fair market competition.

“This serves as a warning to those violating the Consumer Protection Act,” the ministry said in a statement. It added that public awareness campaigns and enforcement against smuggling and counterfeit trade will continue until the government achieves its goal of building a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income society.

Officials say the sustained crackdown is critical to safeguarding consumer rights, ensuring value for money, and fostering trust in Zimbabwe’s marketplace.