HelloMukoma

The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) has concluded public consultations on a proposed law that is expected to safeguard the interests of consumers.

The Consumer Protection Bill was launched by Industry and Commerce Minister Mike Bimha in October 2014 and the CCZ has since then embarked on countrywide consultations to solicit views of public on the proposed law.

A final draft is expected to be presented to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in coming weeks.

The Bill proposed to, among other things, establish a Consumer Protection Commission whose functions will include the coordination of consumer activities, promotion of fair business practices, protection of consumers from unjust or improper trade practices; as well as awareness raising to ensure informed consumer choice and behaviour.

The commission will also regulate the formation of consumer protection bodies for specific sectors and have an oversight on sector-specific bodies established under the Constitution.

It will have a chief executive officer and its members will include representatives from Environmental Management Agency, farmers' associations, the Competition and Tariff Commission, Standard Association of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe National Editors' Forum, industry and commerce, among others.