CCPC roasts cheating wholesalers
SOME Lusaka and Copperbelt wholesalers are selling expired goods to unsuspecting rural consumers, Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) executive director Chilufya Sampa has observed.
Mr Sampa said the crooked wholesalers were taking advantage of rural people’s lack of knowledge on their rights as consumers. He told the Daily Nation in an interview that drinks topped the list of expired goods sold in rural areas, followed by body creams and medi-cines.
He said this came to light during recent inspections that CCPC conducted countrywide.
+e also said that goods worth . , were confiscated and destroyed in various parts of Zambia during the same inspections. ³:hen we conduct these inspections we keep finding that Lusaka and Copperbelt wholesalers have continued to sell expired goods to people in rural areas,
“The bulk of expired products that top the list area is a wide range of carbonated soft drinks. But expired body creams and medicines are al-so being sold in rural areas,” Mr Sampa said.
Mr Sampa has however assured that CCPC would scale up its efforts in consumer education in rural parts to stop unscrupulous traders from exploiting buyers.
“The commission will intensify its sensitization and advocacy activities such as drama performances, sensitization talks in schools, talks with traditional leaders and radio programmes all aimed at educating both traders and consumers,” said Mr Sampa.