CCPC probes bottled water price hike

By BUSINESS REPORTER INVETIGATIONS have been instituted into the recent increase in the prices of bottled water, Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), public relations officer Namukolo Kasumpa has disclosed.

Ms Kasumpa said this follows complaints regarding the increase in the price of bottled water.

This could have resulted from the suspension of manufacturing, packaging and retailing by Zambia Metrological Agency of the 18.9L, 20L and 21.8L of bottled potable water.

According to a press statement made available to the Daily Nation, Ms Kasumpa said the Commission has taken keen interest in the matter and launched investigations.

She said manufacturers and traders that would be found to have increased the prices without justification of corresponding increases in the sourcing costs would be sanctioned.

“The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has received complaints regarding the increase in the price of bottled water following the suspension of the manufacturing, packaging, supply and retail by Zambia Metrological Agency on the 18.9L, 20L and 21.8L of bottled potable water, “she said.

The Commission, she said, has repeatedly warned businesses to desist from engaging in conduct that was unfair and anti-competitive.

She explained that the applicable fines if found wanting are up to 10 per cent of an enterprises` annual turnover.

Ms Kasumpa appealed to members of the public with evidence to report unjustified price increases in bottled water that has occurred in the last two weeks.