Chieftains Kawaza of the Chewa people in Katete district has warned traders in the area against exploiting consumers.
Speaking yesterday when she received a team from the Consumer Competition Protection Commission (CCPC), chieftainess Kawaza sad it was sad that people in villages have continued to be exploited by traders because of lack of information on rights that protect them.
She said rural areas have continued being used as dump sites for expired goods, a situation that has exposed unsuspecting persons to health risks.
The chieftainess noted that it was common to find shops in rural areas where owners refuse to return, exchange or refund customers once goods leave the shelves.
She added that there was need for government to extend sensitisation on consumer rights to rural areas.
She has since warned that she will not spare anyone in her chiefdom who will be found selling expired goods or abusing consumers.
And Consumer Competition Protection Commission (CCPC) Chief Investigator Moses Musantu said the commission has realised the danger consumers have been exposed to.
Mr. Musantu said because of this, the commission has embarked on a vigorous sensitisation programme in Eastern province where it is meeting chiefs and their subjects to educate them on their rights as consumers.
He said the commission felt that consumers, mostly in rural areas, are abused by business persons who have taken advantage of the little understanding that people have concerning their rights as consumers.
Mr. Musantu said the commission as a toll free number 5678 which members of the public can use to report any abuse by traders.
Meanwhile, Headman Kwelewere of chief Kathumba’s area has urged the commission to form neighbourhood watch groups that will help monitor traders in rural areas.
He however challenged the commission to conduct an inspection in the district noting that many traders were selling expired goods and subjecting consumers to bad practices.
