The ManicaPost
Nyore Madzianike Senior Business Reporter
RESIDENTS in Mutare have called for local arbitration on matters involving consumer complaints and urged Government to set up offices handling such cases at district level through the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe.
They said cases involving consumer protection should also be treated as of paramount importance and be entertained with urgency as some involves health issues.
Speaking at the consultative meeting for the Consumer Protection Bill being spearheaded by the Parliamentary Committee on Industry and Commerce, residents said arbitrary matters should not only be handled in the capital or large cities but also at district level.
The consultative meeting was held in Mutare on Thursday.
“The Government should set up offices in each district where people could lodge complaints against service providers,” said one Mr Masunungure of Dangamvura.
“The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe should not wait for Harare to deal with complaints. Establishment of such offices would also help in fostering consumer confidence especially when there concerns are quickly addressed,” he said.
Mrs Emma Makombo (70) said the Bill should look into how consumers could be protected against some medical aid and pension fund institutions that are reaping them of their hard earned incomes.
She also urged Government to look at how it could protect consumers from companies and individuals who are smuggling and selling illicit drugs in the country.
“We are having problems with some medical aide providers who are demanding money upfront as shortfalls despite having been fully paid up,” said Emma Makombo of Sakubva.
Mrs Makombo, who is in her mid 70s, said some of the medical aide providers were demanding such monies in United State dollars.
“I am an elderly who is living on no income but having my medical aide subscriptions being paid by my children. When you visit them, you are told to pay for shortfall.
“Where would that have come from considering that my children are fully paid up. Sometimes they demand that in foreign currency. That is totally stealing from us. We want that Bill to address such issues,” she said.
Mr Claudius Makwindi also weighed in saying the Bill should address on price control mechanisms.
He said the Bill should protect customers from unwarranted price increases.
Parliamentary portfolio Committee on Industry chairman Joshua Sacco, thanked people of Mutare for their contributions.
He said his Committee has noted that there were certain issues which were arising with some having been raised in other provinces where they conducted the same meetings.
“Today (Thursday) we are in e city of Mutare with the portfolio Committee on Industry and Commerce where we have just held a public hearing on the issues around the consumer protection Bill we have had a vibrant meeting with a lot of contributions coming from the public.
“ Main purpose of Bill is to consolidate all pieces of legislation into one Bill to protect the consumers of this country from a lot of issues that have been happening to our consumers where they failed to get recourse from proper legislation.
“Some of issues that have been raised that are topical involve issues around insurance protection; against insurers not paying medical aid schemes where consumers are expected to top up money sometimes in foreign currency,” he said.
He also said issues where the value chain should be respected we’re also topical.
MP Sacco also said issues on fair pricing on products, quality and the right to consumer educations were raised.
