By Derick Tsimba

President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday in Harare officially launched the Consumer Protection Act [Chapter 14:44], which seeks to protect the consumer of goods and services by ensuring a fair, efficient and transparent market.

During the launch the President said, whilst programmes to modernise and industrialise the country are being accelerated, industry should be ensured to offer cutting-edge products and vibrant services to the society.

“As we accelerate programmes to modernise and industrialise our country for sustainable economic growth, the enactment of the Act was timely. It takes a wholistic and a forward-looking approach to ensure that industry offers cutting-edge products and vibrant services to society, while inspiring creativity and innovation,” he said.

President Mnangagwa urged Government stakeholders to undertake consumer protection awareness programmes across the country especially to the marginalised and vulnerable groups.

“Government stakeholders, in collaboration with other partners are urged to undertake consumer protection awareness programmes across the country. This will ensure wide spread awareness around the provision of the Act and lead to the subsequent empowerment of consumers. Various media platforms and communication strategies must be deployed so that information about the Consumer Protection Act is understood by all our citizens, especially the marginalised and vulnerable groups,” said the President.

President Mnangagwa said all Zimbabweans should continue to rally their collective energies to develop the nation through hard and honest work, production and productivity across the entire economic spectrum.

The President also said corruption in the industry, commerce and society in general must be weeded out.