LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Ministry of Trade and Industry is set to penalise and revoke licenses for sugar distributors and traders that are conniving with vendors to sell sugar at more than recommended prices.
Ministry of Trade’s Public Relations Officer, Patrick Botha told Maravi Post on Wednesday that the ministry will not hesitate to penalise traders engaging in such malpractice, which may include revocation of business licenses and closure of business premises.
Botha said during an inspection conducted with Competition Fair and Trade Commission (CFTC) observed that sugar availability has improved “but is not accessible to consumers at recommended price in some places”.
“The ministry would like to caution distributors and traders that fronting vendors is a serious violation of the Business Licensing Act and not in the spirit of the agreement entered into between distributors and sugar manufacturers.
“The Ministry wants to reiterate that It is against the Competition and Fair Trading Act (CFTA) to engage in unconscionable conduct such as an excessive pricing in the sale of sugar,” said Botha.
He added that the Ministry, in collaboration with law enforcers, will not hesitate to deal with vendors who are fronting shop owners and exploiting consumers in the process.
The Ministry, therefore, calls to the general public to report any possible sugar business violation through 2489 toll-free line.
Meanwhile, Malawians are still struggling to get sugar from shops that are selling at fair prices as they are required to get one packet per person in some supermarkets.