The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) has developed a new digital platform, “Buy CCZ Verified,” to empower consumers and curb the rising threat of counterfeit products in the local market.
CCZ chief executive, Rosemary Mpofu, announced the initiative during the launch of a national anti-counterfeit awareness campaign in Kwekwe Monday this week.
Mpofu said counterfeit and substandard goods posed a severe risk to public health and safety and have significant economic consequences.
“Given that counterfeiting has become a global challenge, we have developed an internal solution called ‘Buy CCZ Verified,’” Mpofu said.
This is a multi-channel platform that uses cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence, to enable product verification.
The platform, accessible via the web, WhatsApp, and a USSD code, allows consumers to scan a QR code on a smart holographic sticker attached to a product, search by product name to receive verification details, locate authorised sellers and report suspected counterfeits as well as get alerts for products that are expired or past their commercial life, among others.
Mpofu linked the proliferation of fake goods to the growth of the informal sector, where such items are easily accessible in marketplaces and on streets.
“Verify before you buy and act as whistleblowers by reporting suspicious products or traders to the relevant authorities,” she said, adding that the problem affects sectors from food and pharmaceuticals to automotive parts and solar equipment.
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The “Buy CCZ Verified” platform is expected to be launched by the end of this year.
Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution permanent secretary Edgar Seenza, said counterfeit products eroded consumer confidence and hinder the achievement of the government’s Vision 2030 goals.
Seenza called for a multi-pronged approach involving traditional leaders, local authorities, and the business community.
CCZ board chairman Humphrey Makuyana emphasised the severe economic damage caused by counterfeiting.
He revealed that the consumer rights body is lobbying for a specific Counterfeit Act to provide a stronger legal framework to tackle the issue effectively.
Mpofu also highlighted the critical role of the media, describing the fourth estate as a key partner in raising public awareness about the dangers of counterfeit goods.
