Staff Reporter
In a decisive move against illegal trade, large quantities of smuggled, counterfeit, and substandard goods were destroyed at the Geo Pomona Waste Management site in Harare yesterday.
The destruction, carried out by the Anti-Smuggling Taskforce, is part of a broader effort to protect consumers from potentially harmful products that fail to meet required health and safety standards.
Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) Director, Kudakwashe Mudereri, raised alarm over the increasing presence of fake and substandard goods in the local market, warning of the dangers they pose to unsuspecting consumers.
"We have seen a sudden proliferation of counterfeit and underweight products, expired goods, and other substandard items flooding the market. This operation is aimed at safeguarding consumers and ensuring that these harmful products do not reach the public,” said Mudereri.
He stressed the health risks associated with such products, emphasizing that counterfeit goods, especially expired and low-quality consumables, can have serious consequences for public health.
"Many of these products pose severe health risks. We have partnered with Geo Pomona to ensure all goods that fail to meet the required standards are destroyed. This way, they do not find their way back onto the market and endanger consumers," he added.
Harare Metropolitan Province’s Anti-Smuggling Taskforce Coordinator, Tawedzera Muwani, underscored the importance of transparency in handling confiscated goods, dismissing any speculation that they might be resold or redirected back into circulation.
"This is just the beginning. We want to send a clear message that smuggled and illegal goods, including substandard and underweight products, will be destroyed. We do not take them home, and we do not allow them to re-enter the market," said Muwani.
He also acknowledged the collaborative efforts of the City of Harare, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), and the CPC, crediting them for their role in the ongoing crackdown.
Medical experts have warned that consuming counterfeit and substandard products can lead to severe health complications, including food poisoning, allergic reactions, and exposure to hazardous chemicals.
Dr. Tafadzwa Nhende, a public health specialist, cautioned that many of these illegal goods—especially counterfeit foodstuffs, medicines, and cosmetics—contain toxic ingredients that can cause long-term health damage.
"The major risk with counterfeit products, particularly medicines and food, is that they do not go through proper safety checks. Some contain harmful chemicals, expired ingredients, or incorrect dosages, which can cause anything from mild sickness to fatal poisoning," Dr. Nhende explained.
He urged consumers to be vigilant and only purchase goods from licensed retailers who adhere to safety regulations.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe has long battled the effects of illegal trade, much like its neighboring countries, including South Africa and Zambia, which have also implemented strict measures to combat the problem.
As authorities intensify their crackdown, officials have reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that Zimbabwean consumers are protected from unsafe products.
With continued vigilance and enforcement, Government aims to restore order in Zimbabwe’s market and curb the dangerous trend of smuggled and fake products.
