Consumer Protection Commission claims 1,477 complaints resolved in 2024

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has claimed that it resolved 1,477 consumer complaints last year, mainly in the retail (39.67 percent), financial (30.19 percent), and ICT (13.60 percent) sectors.

Speaking during the CCPC’s 2024 annual performance briefing in Lusaka on Tuesday, CCPC Acting Executive Director, Eunice Phiri Hamavhwa, said retail sector complaints included issues with hire-purchase agreements and defective electronic goods.

On the other hand, Hamavhwa said financial sector grievances largely involved unauthorized salary deductions and continued loan repayments after settlement. In the ICT sector, the main concern was the delayed or non-reversal of mobile money transactions.

She reaffirmed CCPC’s commitment to ensuring a fair and competitive market while protecting consumer rights.

She also claims that the commission facilitated over US$83 million in economic activity last year through mergers and acquisitions, reflecting growing regulatory compliance.

Hamavhwa noted that the commission assessed 103 mergers, including 37 transactions reviewed under the COMESA Competition Commission (CCC), reinforcing cross-border market efficiency.

She highlighted the economic benefits of mergers, such as lower production costs, job creation, increased investments, and stronger market competition.

“In the year under review, the commission facilitated the creation and maintenance of 1,844 direct and indirect jobs,” she said.

Beyond mergers, Hamavhwa revealed that the CCPC investigated six enterprises for alleged abuse of market dominance.

However, no fines were imposed as there was no conclusive evidence of wrongdoing.

“Nonetheless, the mere fact that we inquired into these enterprises’ conduct acted as a deterrent for such unwelcome behaviour,” she added.

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