Staff Reporter

Two Harare men, Ernest Gwetsai of Glenview 1 and Forget Dzapasi of Glenora A, have been convicted by the Harare Magistrates' Court for selling underweight sugar packs and engaging in illegal trade practices.

The pair faced charges of delivering falsely labeled goods and selling items without issuing invoices.

The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) announced that Gwetsai and Dzapasi were sentenced to 12 months in prison, with four months suspended for five years on condition of good behavior.

The remaining eight months of their sentence were also suspended, provided each completes 210 hours of community service.

In addition, they were fined US$100 for failing to issue invoices for their sales.

The illicit activities came to light in June 2024 when undercover police detectives conducted a test purchase at KKK Shop, located in the Target Building at the corner of Bute and Ruzende streets in Harare.

The detectives bought a case of sugar, prompting an investigation into the shop’s suppliers.

 It was soon discovered that Gwetsai and Dzapasi were behind the supply of the sugar.

However, when questioned, they were unable to provide any invoices or delivery notes for a subsequent consignment they delivered, raising red flags.

Their inability to produce the necessary paperwork to verify their transactions, coupled with the sale of underweight sugar packs, played a crucial role in their conviction.

The court deemed the offenses as violations of consumer protection laws, emphasizing that all goods must meet weight and labeling standards to ensure fairness in business practices.

The NPAZ, in a statement released on X (formerly Twitter), highlighted the significance of the conviction, urging businesses to uphold proper documentation and adhere to transparent labeling standards to avoid similar consequences.

The authority reiterated that ensuring consumer protection remains a priority, warning others against engaging in deceptive practices.

Meanwhile, this case serves as a stern reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in business transactions.

It further underscores Government’s commitment to cracking down on illegal trade practices to protect consumers and promote ethical business conduct in Zimbabwe.

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