Several unscrupulous traders who are in a habit of selling expired products to the general public in rural areas, have been exposed in Northern Province.
This came to light after a combined team of fair trading advocates in partnership with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) conducted an impromptu inspection at Nseluka market in Mungwi district yesterday.
And CCPC Provincial investigator Mwila Zambwe who was leading the team, says it is sad to note that some traders were taking advantage of people’s ignorance in rural areas by supplying them with expired products.
Mr. Zambwe said a good number of shop owners at Nseluka trading areas were found selling expired goods which have since been confiscated.
He Mr. Zambwe further warned that the commission will exercise stern action against anyone involved in unfair trading.
Mr. Zambwe has since advised such traders to look at the impact of selling spoiled consumable products on human life before flooding them on the market.
He said the commission will continue pouncing on perpetrators and sensitise consumers on their rights, in order to prevent them from being duped.
Mr. Zambwe explained that CCPC is there to promote a fair business environment between traders and consumers in the country.
Senior Chief Mushota of Kawambwa district in Luapula Province has commended the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) for extending consumer rights awareness to rural areas.
The traditional leader said people in rural areas like his chiefdom are often infringed on their rights by goods and service providers, for lack of information.
Meanwhile, Senior Chief Mushota has also advised the CCPC to establish linkages with the local media and the local leadership in order to extend the sensitization programmes on consumer rights in the area.
Chief Mushota said this yesterday when officials from CCPC called on at his palace before holding a road-show at Ntembo village during an open day market commonly known as “umunada.”
And CCPC Chief Investigator for Northern Region, Masauso Phiri said the commission has embarked on the sensitisation programme to educate the public on their consumer rights and unfair trading practices.
Mr. Phiri stated that most people especially in rural areas are not aware of their consumer rights and where to lodge the complaints whenever their rights are violated.
He added that the commission has since drawn an ambitious road show programme to sensitise people in Luapula Province through the use of drama and public meetings held in schools and market places.
By now it should be clear that we need stronger oversight on matters affecting people’s health, security and general wellbeing. On average it is clear that most of our countrymen will do anything to con and to extort given even half a chance. As soon as those checkers are gone those unscrupulous thugs will be back at their game. Let’s enforce this consistently until it is reasonably ‘second nature’.