Counterfeit Products Crackdown Nets 600 Businesses

By Itai Mazire 

A blitz by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce has netted over 600 businesses across six provinces in recent months for selling counterfeit products.

Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndhlovu said offenders were apprehended in Harare, Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and South, Manicaland, and Masvingo.

He said the cases involving these businesses are now before the courts.

“The Ministry of Industry and Commerce notes with concern the sudden proliferation of counterfeit or substandard products on the market.

It is against this background that the Ministry directed the Consumer Protection Commission and the Trade Measures Department to carry out an enforcement blitz targeting shops selling counterfeit goods in Harare,” said Minister Ndhlovu.

He revealed that counterfeit products span across various categories, including Colgate and foodstuffs such as mealie meal.

“Since the Taskforce was established, over 600 businesses have been prosecuted for selling counterfeit goods,” he said.

Since the start of the blitz in the six provinces, the task force has seized a large quantity of counterfeit products.

“In Harare, 715 x 10 kg bags of counterfeit Pearlenta mealie meal were seized in the CBD. The case is under investigation or awaiting court proceedings to identify the criminal syndicates behind this operation.

“Manufacturers of unlabelled and substandard products, including beverages and illicit alcoholic drinks, are being restricted through the issuance of compliance notices.”

In Bulawayo, enforcement teams confiscated:

• 14 x 2-litre bottles of expired Delta Pine products
• 21 x 500g packs of expired lemon creams
• 12 x 2-litre bottles of expired soft drinks

In Manicaland, the following expired items were seized:

• 17 x 750ml bottles of Domestos
• 4 litres of Tebucanazole
• 12 x 1-litre bottles of Abamectin
• 73 x 200ml bottles of Amitrazine

Minister Ndhlovu said the blitz also produced results in Masvingo, Matabeleland South, and Matabeleland North.

In Matabeleland South, units seized:

• 15 x 500ml bottles of expired Sip Sip ready-to-drink juice
• 2 x 1-litre bottles of expired Sprite
• 3 cases of 2-litre bottles of expired Delta Fanta
• 15 packs of expired Charhons Crunch Biscuits
• In Masvingo, teams recovered:
• 16 cases of expired Delta soft drinks
• 8 x 500g packs of expired Crunchie biscuits
• 15 units of PowerPlus, which were restricted from sale

In Matabeleland North, inspectors intercepted:

• 8 x expired soft beverages
• 1 case of expired alcoholic beverages
• 18 x ml bottles of expired Minute Maid

“The Commission has deployed teams to Mashonaland West and East Provinces from 27 July to 3 August 2025 as part of efforts to cover the remaining provinces and ensure no one and no place is left behind,” said Minister Ndhlovu.

He explained that the Cabinet Taskforce was established to tackle various forms of business malpractice, including the sale of counterfeit goods and smuggling.

“The recent blitz in Harare is a continuation of the task force’s work, which includes several government departments and regulatory authorities.

The government is widening its net to ensure all perpetrators and unscrupulous businesses are held accountable.

Ministry will not rest until sanity prevails in the market.

The blitz is nationwide, covering all ten provinces, with inspectors from the Consumer Protection Commission and the Trade Measures Department already deployed—in line with the President’s vision of Leaving No One and No Place Behind”.

Minister Ndhlovu also said that the ministry has launched public education and awareness campaigns in the provinces, teaching consumers how to identify authentic products, including checking for certifications, warranties, and authorised sellers.

“All consumers are encouraged to report suspicious products and retailers so that appropriate action can be taken,” he added.