419 Businesses Nabbed in Counterfeit Goods Blitz

The ongoing blitz by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce has resulted in the arrest of over 400 businesses across the country that have been duping consumers by selling counterfeit goods.

Last month, Industry Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu revealed that more than 600 businesses in six provinces had been busted as part of the crackdown.

In a statement, the Ministry confirmed that a nationwide operation targeting smuggling is underway, involving impromptu inspections to ensure compliance with trade regulations.

“Offenders who exploit consumers through unfair practices—including selling counterfeit products, delivering underweight goods, imposing multi-tier pricing schemes, and using inadequate labelling, among other deceptive dealings—are being prosecuted.

The Ministry is pleased to inform the public that, to date, a cumulative total of 3,779 businesses have been inspected, with 919 prosecutions initiated.

A total of 402 compliance notices have been issued, and 4,816 units of various substandard products have been seized,” the statement reads.

Consumers of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) President, Dr. Mutashu, weighed in, saying the sale of fake goods has become a national crisis.

“The proliferation of counterfeit products across the country should be declared a national disaster, as it carries significant costs to future generations, public health, reindustrialization, and the overall well-being of the nation.

Selling, distributing, manufacturing, or aiding the movement of counterfeit goods should attract punitive penalties through our law enforcement and judicial systems,” said Dr. Mutashu.

He called for immediate awareness campaigns to empower the public to distinguish between genuine Zimbabwean-made products and counterfeits.

The blitz is currently being carried out by the Ministry, the Consumer Protection Council of Zimbabwe, the Trade Measures Department, and the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

The Ministry added that awareness and enforcement campaigns will continue across all provinces until businesses fully comply with the law.

“These efforts are part of the accelerated measures to protect consumers, enhance product quality, and improve service delivery under the Zimbabwe Industrial Reconstruction and Growth Plan 2024–2025.”