Staff Reporter
Citizens have voiced complaints about the prevalence of counterfeit items, particularly in downtown tuck-shops, raising alarm about the quality and safety of these products.
In an exclusive interview with this publication, Retail industry analyst Clay Masimba warned consumers about buying their products from unregistered and unlicensed tuck-shops that have mushroomed at every corner in the Greater Harare, cautioning that some of these products are likely to pose health hazards in the long term. He added that the proliferation of these counterfeit products further undermine the integrity of local businesses and brands.
“Consumers should prioritise purchasing goods from reputable supermarkets such as OK, TM Pick n Pay, and Choppies, where quality assurance measures are in place,” advised Masimba.
Furthermore, Masimba emphasised the need for Government intervention in addressing the issue of counterfeit products effectively.
“The Government should implement stringent measures to crack down on counterfeiters and protect consumers from sub-standard goods. It is imperative to safeguard public health and restore trust in local products,” he urged.
According to Masimba, the presence of counterfeit goods in the market erodes consumer trust in regional brands as a whole, not just the specific target of counterfeiting.
“This generalised mistrust makes consumers hesitant to support local products, fearing they may be substandard.
Moreso, unlike reputable supermarkets such as OK, TM Pick n Pay, and Choppies, to mention but a few, where quality control measures are stringent, downtown tuck-shops have become hotspots for counterfeit goods. Products, ranging from food items to household essentials, often fail to meet quality standards and pose potential health risks to consumers,” said Masimba.
Moreso, citizens in an interview with this publication also shared their experiences with the counterfeit products.
Mrs. Nomsa, a resident of Harare, lamented her recent encounter with counterfeit cereal.
“I bought a box of Cerevita from a downtown tuck-shop, but it tasted too sweet and didn’t have the same texture as the original,” she remarked, expressing her disappointment.
Similarly, Tendai Gasva, a resident of Avondale, recounted her dissatisfaction with a fake dishwashing liquid she purchased.
“I bought what I thought was a reputable brand of dishwashing liquid, but it turned out to be ineffective in cleaning my dishes. It was clearly a counterfeit product,” she exclaimed.
Meanwhile, Government is putting up efforts to try and weed out all counterfeit products that don’t meet the standards set by the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ).
