The government is prosecuting more than 200 cases as it moves to halt the influx of counterfeit products smuggled through the country’s porous borders.
According to
the Industry and Commerce ministry’s taskforce on business malpractices, the
government is intensifying the crackdown on counterfeit products.
In a statement
yesterday, the government said work to stop smuggling and the sale of
counterfeit goods continued, leaving no one and no place behind.
“As of today,
the cumulative total tally of businesses inspected country-wide stands at 2
243. Total prosecutions are now at 203 while 269 compliance notices have been
issued,” it said.
“The taskforce
has seized a total of 4 315 units of different products nationwide. All
businesses are reminded to uphold professionalism for the growth of the economy
and public safety.”
Notable
interceptions in recent years include a truck at the Beitbridge Border Post
(South Africa), found concealing 1 200 counterfeit solar panels worth US$320
000 beneath legitimate textiles.
In Harare’s
Mbare market, a midnight raid uncovered 450 boxes of adulterated painkillers
and antibiotics, some containing toxic substances.
“These are not
victimless crimes,” said medical practitioner Mlungisi Ndebele. “Counterfeit
medicines can kill and substandard electronics have caused fires in homes. We
are targeting every link in the chain — smugglers, warehouses and retailers.”
Court records
reveal at least 17 arrests in the past month, including two South African
nationals accused of operating a cross-border smuggling network.
The surge in
counterfeit goods, primarily trafficked from South Africa, Zambia and other
neighbouring countries, has devastated local industries.
Experts
acknowledge challenges, including corruption and poorly-secured borders.
The government
is drafting stricter penalties, including a 10-year jail term for smugglers and
lifetime trade bans for repeat offenders. Newsday
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