THE Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) has declared a crackdown on unjustified price increases and unethical business practices targeting consumers during the festive season.
CCZ corporate affairs director Phil Chereni condemned the customary trend of inflating prices without justification, labelling it an unethical behaviour that contributes to artificial inflation.
“Despite a period of relative economic stability, some retailers exploit the festive season to escalate prices arbitrarily,” he said.
“This practice is unacceptable. We call on all businesses to maintain fair and consistent pricing to complement national economic stabilisation efforts.”
CCZ acknowledged operational cost pressures, but insisted these could not be used to justify exploitative pricing, especially when consumer spending peaks.
Chereni urged retailers to complement government efforts aimed at economic stabilisation by maintaining fair and consistent pricing throughout the festive season.
He urged consumers to be vigilant against unethical business practices, including unjustified price increases, misleading promotions, hidden charges and the use of unlawful disclaimer clauses such as “no returns, no refunds, no exchanges”.
Chereni reminded the public that CCZ was designated, in terms of section 55 of the Consumer Protection Act and Statutory Instrument 181 of 2024, as a conciliation and arbitration body, giving it enhanced authority to intervene in disputes between consumers and businesses.
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“The council will not hesitate to investigate and facilitate redress where consumers’ rights to fair pricing, quality goods and services, and refunds or exchanges are violated,” he said.
He encouraged consumers to report suspected unethical business practices to CCZ.
