By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
The Consumer Protection Commission of Zimbabwe (CPC) has launched an enforcement blitz, aimed at compelling businesses to adopt Point-of-Sale (POS) machines and making it mandatory for all enterprises to accept transactions made through swipe machines. This move is designed to enhance consumer safety and protect against the risks associated with cash transactions.
POS machines significantly reduce the risk of robbery, as they eliminate the need for customers to carry large amounts of cash when purchasing goods and services. By enabling electronic payments, consumers can use simple cards linked to both ZiG and US dollar bank accounts, allowing them to choose their preferred currency during transactions.
In a statement, the CPC expressed concern over the ongoing practice by certain unprincipled businesses that operate without POS machines. The commission highlighted that this was a clear violation of the laws of the country and infringed upon consumers’ rights to select their preferred method of payment while conducting daily transactions.
The CPC emphasized that the Consumer Protection Act Section 51 (h) prohibits businesses from engaging in any unfair trade practices, which includes violating consumers’ right to choose.
“To protect consumers from unfair business practices, the Consumer Protection Commission is carrying out an enforcement blitz, starting with the fuel retail industry where several service stations have been found wanting and issued with compliance notices by the commission in line with Section 68 of the Act.” read the statement
“The commission found out that out of the 27 service stations inspected, 80 percent of them did not have point-of-sale machines,” said the statement.
The enforcement blitz is set to extend to all businesses to ensure compliance with the provisions of the law, with the CPC declaring that those businesses found not to be complying will be penalised in line with the requirements of the law.
The CPC also referenced the Finance Act Number One of 2018, which amended Section 10 of the Bank Use Promotion and Suppression of Money Laundering Act, mandating businesses to acquire any device that facilitates electronic payments for their goods or services. This legislation further necessitates the capability for electronic payment processing via mobile phones or computers.
Members of the public are being urged to assist the commission by reporting businesses not giving consumers the option of swiping for their goods and services through hot line numbers.