KALONDE NYATI, Lusaka
COMPETITION and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) recovered about K1.5 million in product refunds and replacements last year, an increase from K704, 336 recorded the previous year.
CCPC also recorded an increase in the number of consumer cases resolved to 1,791 last year, from 827 in 2014, representing an increase of 53.82 percent.
CCPC director for consumer protection Brian Lingela attributed the two developments to awareness programmes by the Commission on consumer rights and obligations according to the CCPA Act.
“The Commission has recorded an increase in the number of consumer cases resolved and this can be attributed to the fact that consumers are now appreciating their consumer rights and obligations, and enhanced sensitisation on consumer-related issues by the commissioner,” he said in a statement issued yesterday.
Mr Lingela said Zambia, as a predominate importing country, continues to experience an influx of substandard products from other countries, which affect local consumers.
He said the commission continues to receive complaints from different sectors of the economy citing finance, insurance, courier services and wholesale and retail trading as some of the sectors.
“Wholesale and retail trading sector was outstanding in terms of complaints and this was as a result of defective products, especially electrical items.
“The complaints are mainly on poor service such as unsolicited insurance cover, misrepresentation in loan agreements and supply of defective goods and failure to supply a service within a reasonable time especially in the courier service for the goods that were bought via online shopping,” he said.
Mr Lingela also said the commission is investigating five cases of excessive pricing.