By Dorica Mtenje
LILONGWE, Maravipost: The Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS), in collaboration with the Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC), has closed down over eight shops in Lilongwe during a routine market surveillance currently taking place across the country.
The affected shops include Kanyimbo General Dealers, Sarà General Dealers, Fatima Agro Dealers, Sana Area 10 Butchery, Foodworth Butchery, and Dalitso Dealers, among others.
In a statement seen by Maravipost on Thursday January 23, signed by Christina Zakeyo, the Secretary for Trade and Industry, the closures were initiated due to serious business malpractice observed in the market, including unfair pricing of commodities in violation of the Business Licensing Act.
Zakeyo stated that the ministry is responsible for enforcing fair business practices in the market and shutting down businesses that break the law, which will remain closed.
He emphasized that the public can be valuable informants regarding shops that are overcharging prices arbitrarily or selling substandard products.
“We encourage the public to work with the ministry by reporting such companies and shops as a way to stabilize prices,” said Zakeyo.
He added that the ministry is collaborating with the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) to support companies involved in supplying essential commodities like soap, sugar, matches, and cooking oil to ensure that the general population does not struggle.
Additionally, he mentioned that the ministry is also strengthening the Control of Goods Act (COGA) in the last parliament to restrict goods that are locally produced when there is inadequate supply.
He emphasized that the ministry, CFTC, and MBS will continue conducting market surveillance until order is restored.
The ministry assures the public that it will uphold fairness, safety, legality, and trust with the community.
He urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases of unfair trading practices through the toll-free line 2489.
