Masvingo hosted this year’s World Consumer Rights Day commemorations yesterday, as Government reinforced its commitment to strengthening consumer protection and curbing the circulation of substandard goods.
The event which was held at Urban Lifestyles Hotel under the theme “Safe Products and Confident Consumers,” reinforced the importance of safeguarding consumers as part of coordinated economic growth.
The Minister of Industry and Commerce, Nqobizitha M. Ndhlovu, who led the commemorations, underscored the critical role of consumer protection in fostering economic stability.
“Ensuring that goods and services meet required standards is not only a legal obligation but a key pillar for sustainable economic growth. Consumers must be confident that the products they buy are safe and fairly priced,” he said.
He further warned against the dangers of substandard goods and unsafe imports.
“Unchecked circulation of unsafe products undermines public trust, harms livelihoods, and weakens our retail and manufacturing sectors,” Minister Ndhlovu added.
Adding his voice, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira, emphasized collaboration between Government, industry, and consumer groups.
“Consumer protection cannot succeed in isolation. We need a coordinated approach that brings together regulators, suppliers, and advocacy groups to ensure fair trade and market accountability,” he said.
The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Anxious Masuka also linked the event to broader national strategies.
“Our interventions on consumer protection continue from the Zimbabwe Integrated Resource Governance Programme (ZIRGP) into the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).
Protecting consumers is integral to our development agenda and economic resilience,” he said.
The event focused on curbing unjustified price increases, substandard products, and unfair trade practices. Interactive sessions equipped stakeholders with tools for monitoring product safety and enforcing standards, reinforcing Government’s commitment to safe consumption and confident consumers.
World Consumer Rights Day is observed globally to raise awareness of consumer protection. Zimbabwe continues to use the day to strengthen regulatory frameworks and align consumer protection with national development priorities.
