By Sharon Tawuya
Bulawayo, (New Ziana) – Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu on Thursday said counterfeit and smuggled goods were costing Zimbabwean industry an estimated US$1.2 billion annually.
Speaking at the 2027 Pre-budget Seminar underway here, Ndlovu said Bulawayo manufacturing capacity utilisation had improved from 45 percent in 2024 to 51.2 percent by July 2026, with over US$100 million in new investments in the last two years – but counterfeits were a major threat.
“These are not reviving old factories, but these are new investments coming here,” Ndlovu said.
He said government recently seized over US$2 million worth of illegal, fake and sub-standard products including fake fertilizer, seeds, chemicals, vehicle parts, baby formula and detergents.
Ndlovu said existing legislation empowers brand owners to report and cause confiscation of counterfeit goods.
“The law actually empowers the owner of the product to make sure that they report and that they can cause the confiscation of all the counterfeit goods in the market, because they know their products better than anyone,” he said.
He said government is considering a dedicated Counterfeit Act and will enforce compulsory standards under the National Quality Policy to curb substandard imports.
“This is not a situation we can accept as normal. It is time for all of us to take a firm stand and deliver a serious blow to the counterfeit trade,” Ndlovu said.
His revelation comes as the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission on Wednesday arrested 12 suspects after raiding a house in Waterfalls, Harare, where about 10 metric tonnes of sugar were allegedly being repackaged for resale using counterfeit Tongaat Hulett branding.
ZACC spokesperson Simiso Mlevu said the suspects were found transferring bulk sugar into smaller retail packets labelled as 2kg but weighing between 1.7kg and 1.8kg.
Officers recovered unused 2kg packaging materials, heat-sealing machines and an industrial air blower.
The suspects are expected to appear in court to face charges of contravening the Trade Marks Act.
New Ziana
