A Spar outlet located in Harare’s Five Avenue Shopping Centre was one of several stores targeted by officials from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development on Thursday.
This operation is part of a government initiative aimed at addressing the sale of counterfeit, expired, and smuggled goods that have increasingly infiltrated markets in Harare and other urban centers across Zimbabwe.
The country has seen a surge in the availability of smuggled items, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, often sold at significantly lower prices than market rates in shops and on the streets.
Local manufacturers have expressed concerns regarding the unfair competition posed by these illicit products, prompting them to call on the government for action.
In a conversation with NewsDay, Simbarashe Masanga, a senior agricultural economist, emphasized that retailers must adhere to regulations when importing goods. He stated:
“Retailers are aware that these products require permits, yet they continue to proceed with deliveries. This is why we are confiscating flour from Spar at Five Avenue.”
Masanga explained that the permit process is straightforward, involving registration with the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) and applying for a plant import permit from the Plant Quarantine Services Institute. Additionally, businesses must secure a control of goods import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture.
He noted that many smuggled items are not scarce domestically and that illegal imports are undermining local production.
To combat this issue, authorities have intensified efforts to raid shops and supermarkets found to be selling counterfeit or expired products. Masanga warned that businesses involved in these practices could face severe penalties, as the AMA aims to implement stringent fines to deter such behavior.
The agency plans to broaden its enforcement actions across all retail outlets to restore order within the agricultural marketing sector.
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